MY ANTI-NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS RANT

I really DO NOT LIKE New Year’s resolutions. Why? Because they are about comparison, illusion, and hollow victories. Here’s what I’ll choose to do instead.

We treat New Year’s resolutions like a sprint—get to the destination as quickly as possible—rather than protecting our resources for a marathon of enduring results.

To enjoy true success, you need to establish a long-range vision that lasts beyond 12 months.

So, what’s an ambitious goal-setter to do? Let’s highlight what you should ask yourself to better spot those sabotaging short-sighted resolutions.

Short-sighted Goal: I want to get more placements to make $100,000 in 2024.

Do this instead: I want to create and automate a marketing strategy that speaks to my target market and generates $300,000 in five years.

You’re not in business to have one good year. Fortunately, MMC’s superpower is restructuring systems so that they—independently of you—produce predictable results.

What does that look like? Well, step one is identifying marketing that works for you. Then, we help you to understand what you should say to carve your niche in the industry and attract your ideal clients.

Short-sighted Goal: I want to lose 30 pounds by my birthday.

Do this instead: I want to set and consistently achieve healthy goals for 90 days.

You could put in a ton of work to lose a certain amount of weight by a certain date and not do it. Instead, commit to showing up at the gym three times per week and eating healthy, well-balanced meals for the next three months.Then, you can reassess.

So how will you measure your progress? Focus on whether energy levels increase, if you feel more comfortable in your clothes, and if you just have more confidence. These are your real victories. 

Shortsighted: I want to be in the black by Q3 of 2024.

Do this instead: I want to increase my profits by X amount by Q3 of 2024.

You could be in the black and still be in a vulnerable position. So, how do you arrive at a place where operating your agency doesn’t feel like walking a tightrope?

This is where MMC’s business health check comes to help make your life easier. It takes into account what you actually need to bring in to service your debt, pay your team, put away money in savings, and invest in your growth.

Then, we determine the WHY. Why is that not happening? Is it not enough clients, too few nannies, both, or something else? Finally, we create a unique-to-you marketing plan and provide recruiting strategies to raise awareness so you can safely and permanently dismount that tightrope.   

Brass tacks: 12 months from now, you don’t want to look back at 2024 and feel guilty or like you didn’t do enough to ensure your growth and success. So, instead of setting unrealistic goals too quickly that will burn you out and leave you exhausted and discouraged, try to set more reasonable, long-sighted goals that you can work toward little by little. If you want my help to make 2024 your year, I’ll be waiting for you right here. 

Our office will be closed for the holidays so our staff can enjoy the season with their families, but we’ll be back on January 2nd to take on 2024!

In the meantime, here’s my favorite holiday baking recipe. 

This recipe is delicious and not too intense or time consuming (baking doesn’t need to be stressful on top of everything else). This is a recipe for apple turnovers that are the perfect warm and flaky treat for a chilly winter evening. 

Ingredients: 

• 1/3 cup sugar 

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

• 4 medium peeled, cored, and chopped granny smith apples 

• 1 package frozen puff pastry–2 sheets (thawed) 

• 1 tablespoons butter (melted) 

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• Powdered sugar (as desired) 

• 1 egg (egg wash)

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, nutmeg, and butter. Stir thoroughly until all the apples are coated. 

2. Cook apple mixture on stovetop in a pan until softened (as desired). 

3. Cut the puff pastry sheets into eight squares

4. Add apple mixture to puff pastry squares adding a generous spoonful to one side of each square. Fold squares across to seal in apple mixture and create a triangle. 

5. Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush over the tops of each apple turnover. 

6. Bake for 12-16 minutes (it may depend on your oven–bake until golden and flaky). 

7. Take out of oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar as desired. 

8. Enjoy!

We hope you’ll try out this amazing and easy recipe this holiday season. It’s a great treat to bring to a family gathering or dinner party, or you can keep them to yourself to enjoy. Happy holidays from MMC!