It’s hard to believe that we are already two weeks into a brand new year. It is such a hopeful time. I am getting tons of positive energy from small business owners around the globe.

Not a negative person in the lot.

They are saying things like “This is my year!” and “I know it’s going to be a good one!” and “We’re over the hump now, 2010 rocks!”

What about you? What are you saying? And are you saying the same thing you were two weeks ago when we turned the corner on the new year?

I bet you are. If you set some goals for this year, you have probably already made some progress. (If you haven’t set your goals yet, pick up a copy of my free goal setting guide.)

Taking action on the right things in your business is what will move it forward. The key is keeping those important items front and center so you can bounce your daily actions against them to make sure you are on track.

One thing that helps me is to group my goals into themes. I typically establish three themes for the year which helps me focus. My themes for this year are:

>> Simplify – In this 24 hour, a thousand things coming at you at a time world (not to mention the fact that as small business owners we get way too many ideas!), it is easy to get overwhelmed. So I’ve adopted this theme to remind me that the actions I take shouldn’t overcomplicate my life.

>> Grow – This year is targeted for growth. Does that mean I’m going to be cranking out a bunch of products to bring in a new load of cash? Nope. It means I’m going to leverage what I already have at hand and make the most of it. I’ve also placed an emphasis on personal growth. I learn new things every day. I want that to continue.

>> Mentor – I’ve been sharing my tips and tools with small business owners since 1996 and I want to do more. So my mentoring goal is wrapped up in this website. I’ve made a commitment to share more of what I know so I can mentor you and other small business owners on your path to success. And get you to where you want to go.

So there you have it. My three themes for this year. What are yours?

P.S. You might want to subscribe to my weekly tips. You can do that in less than 10 seconds using the green box below (scroll down). With your free weekly tips subscription, you’ll get a free copy of What I Wish I’d Known, a helpful guide chock full of actionable tips from seasoned business owners who have been there, done that. Get your subscription now by entering your name and email in the green box and pressing Send the Tips!.

More on this topic:

1. Business Goal Setting – A Step-by-Step Guide
2. Day Four: Putting Your Goals Into Action
3. Putting Your Goals Into Action With A Five Day Strategic Action Plan
4. No Email Marketing Is Not Dead
5. What Excuses Are Standing In Your Way?