Well, 2017 is almost in the books — another year down, and another one ahead.
When I was a kid, Christmas and New Year’s both seemed like such a big deal. I remember going to my grandma’s every Christmas Eve. Opening presents at home the next day. On New Year’s Eve, I’d play hockey with my buddies on the old outdoor rink. We had a key to the warming house and the lights, and it felt like we were celebrating in the greatest way possible, at least for 12-year-olds.
It doesn’t mean so much now because I don’t see any one day as more important than another. They’re all important. We get 365 of them every year, and the really important thing is what we do with the total of that time.
I think resolutions are garbage. If I feel it’s important to make a change in my life, I’m sure as hell not waiting until January rolls around. That’s a waste of every day that comes before it, a waste of time that could be spent improving whatever it is that needs improving.
It’s the same in your business. It’s great to take stock of your successes and failures over the past year and think about how you’re going to make the next year better. It’s even better to act on things now. Resolutions are idealistic. Taking steps to improve your business is pragmatic.
I’m probably not saying anything you haven’t thought before, but sometimes it’s good to hear it from someone else. You’re probably not going to die tomorrow, but you could, so why put anything off? Planning leads to plans. Action leads to improvement.
So what do you need to do to make your business better? What changes can you make to put your goals within reach? More importantly, what can you start doing today to make that happen?
I just returned from WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exposition and Conference. It’s always good to catch up with others in the industry and find out what’s going on outside my own little bubble. I came away with some new perspectives and ideas for 2018, but I’m not waiting for December to fall off the calendar before I start working on them.
One of the nice things about being in the publishing world is I’m constantly presented with opportunities to improve on what I’ve just done. Once a month, the slate is wiped clean. Every print cycle sort of begins my own little New Year.
You essentially have the same opportunity on a daily basis. Every job is an opportunity to improve on your work and better serve your customers. If you’re serious about improving your business, you need to take that mentality to every job because each one presents opportunity beyond a simple drain cleaning or inspection. If you run into difficulties or make a mistake relining a lateral, you can’t wait until next year to make it right for the customer. Likewise, you shouldn’t wait for next year to make things right for your business.
Every day presents opportunity for improvement. Don’t waste it.
Enjoy this month’s issue.
