Every year we start out with high expectations.  Individuals head to the gym and businesses head to the phones or into meetings with energized customers.  Like many individuals, the enthusiasm wears off around the end of January (middle of February at the latest) and the regular routine begins.  A few good meetings and some good business but also wasted hours in the office filling the spare time between projects.

February is the best month to look at your business model.  Why?  Now that you have a month of 2013 under your belt, you can get a sense of what your year is going to turn out to be.  Certainly your best months are ahead, but February lets you reflect on what is ahead to avoid wasted office time.

The early planning can go along way in re-investing your business in your industry by adjusting the way you look at the market. Is the market so new? Not exactly, but your outlook is and technology is changing the way we do business.  And we should let it.  Even if your busy season is coming in three months (April for the tax and agriculture professionals) or August (for the educators and retail) or somewhere in between, I bet you have weekend trips, big vacations, and business travel dates already on your mind.  February should be the month that you set the dates and letting the plan ride, without re-evaluation. Instead of spending an extra hour in the office trying to make small talk and reviewing your plan, spend the extra time picking up a new skill or preparing for the biggest event on your calendar (at least, the biggest project that needs planning).  Spending the time on your big speech or tradeshow gets the ball rolling, frees up time when clients need your services in the future, and lets you plan for the things you would have forgotten (always thank your significant other for helping you rise to the top). 

So in February, let your imagination run free and away from work.  Plan some days off for your staff at unexpected times during the year (give them a floating holiday) and plan for more time with friends and family for yourself.  2013 is a year of transition, from the recessing economy of 2008 to the bullish 2014.  2013 should revive you, add to your bottomline (slowly), and provide you with a new outlook on life.  Go obtain the attainable and make it new.