It is never too late to set goals. Ready to try something different?
Resolutions are easy to set in January, but have you revisited or updated your goals since then?
In January, we all are enthusiastically setting goals and dreaming of having a do-over or achieving our dreams in the new year. But all too often, as soon as life takes over, our goals are forgotten in that shiny new journal we bought.
It is nearly the end of the year already!
Have you checked off some of your goals for this year? Have you ever looked at your goals? Your dreams and goals should be visible to you every day, and if they are, they will keep you on track and inspire you to complete your goals.
It is never too late to set your business and personal goals, and it does not have to be done at the start of every year. Setting goals quarterly and revisiting your goals regularly is a good idea and keeps you more active and focused on achieving your objectives.
Start with the big picture in mind and work backward.
When you're trying to meet goals like weight loss, getting a new job, or just running a marathon, it's easy to get overwhelmed. That's why the most effective way to manage your life is to start with the big picture in mind and work backward.
Imagine your life one year from now: what does it look like? What does it feel like? How much money do you make? Where do you live? What kind of car do you drive? Where do you vacation every summer? What kind of job title do you have and what kind of company do you work for? Who are your friends and family members? Who do you hang out with on weekends and after work hours? If these questions sound familiar, then it's time for some serious goal-setting!
The Difference Between Goals and Systems.
We all have goals and dreams that we want to achieve, but only a few of us ever see these goals come to fruition. We don't achieve our goals because they remain in our minds as nothing more than ideas.
You need systems and daily habits to help you reach your goals.
A goal is a specific target you want to reach by a certain time. For example, “I want to lose 10 pounds by the end of December” or “I want to save $10,000 by the end of the year” are goals.
A system is what you put in place to make sure that you reach your goals. For example, “I will exercise every morning” or “I will save $1,000 per month” are systems that can help you reach your goals of losing weight or saving money.
Goals focus on the results while systems focus on the action you take every day to achieve your goals.
James Clear, in his blog post 'Forget about setting goals. Focus on this instead', makes a good point about goals. Goals are just ideas and dreams until they become part of our daily routine. Here are his thoughts:
- If you’re a coach, your goal is to win a championship. Your system is what your team does at practice each day.
- If you’re a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week.
- If you’re a runner, your goal is to run a marathon. Your system is your training schedule for the month.
- If you’re an entrepreneur, your goal is to build a million-dollar business. Your system is your sales and marketing process.
How can we keep our dreams and goals alive?
Sir Richard Branson, a man who clearly knows plenty about achieving extraordinary things, has some ideas, which he shared on his Virgin.com blog.
The basic principle behind his advice is head-slappingly simple -- just write it down -- but as he elaborates in the post, getting from daydream to reality requires a little more doing than simply putting pen to paper. Sir Richard offers this step-by-step process for actually reaching your goals, which he swears works for him.
Here are 10 simple steps for making a list that you will be able to stick to:
- Write down every single idea you have. No idea is too small, and no idea is too big either.
- Always carry a notebook. You need somewhere to write your ideas down, and while using a folder on your phone is better than nothing, a piece of paper is far more memorable.
- Make a list of small, manageable tasks to complete every day. Cut your day up into chunks, and you’ll get lots more done.
- Mark off every completed task. There are few more satisfying things than checking off a job well done.
- Make your goals measurable so you know if your plans are working. There’s no point setting targets if you don’t know that you are hitting them.
- Set far off, outlandish goals. Resolutions shouldn’t just have short-term endpoints. What do you want to have achieved in five years’ time? How about 50 years?
- Include personal goals in your lists, not just business. There’s no real separation between work and life, it’s all just living. The same goes for lists.
- Share your goals with others. You can help motivate each other further and hold each other to account. But remember that, in the end, you are doing this for yourself.
- Celebrate your successes!
- Then make new lists of new goals. The cycle should continue as you make more and more progress.
Write down what you want to achieve.
"If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else."-Yogi Berra
This is the famous quote by Yogi Berra that has inspired me to write this article. It is a great quote and it’s true.
We often hear things like "just do it", "start now", "don’t wait any longer". But what if I were to tell you that there is a better way?
One that will make you more productive, feel happier and allow you to achieve your goals with much less effort.
The first step towards achieving your New Year's resolutions is writing them down. Being in your head doesn't help because you forget about it, and it's easy to get distracted by life (especially these days).
I know, I know. You've heard it a million times, right? But believe me, there's a reason it's one of the most common pieces of advice you'll hear when it comes to achieving your goals: writing them down has been proven to help you remember them and integrate them faster into your life.
Conclusion
What you do daily determines how close or far you are from your goals. Find something that makes you happy and motivates you, and then make it a habit in your life every day, even if it's just for 5 minutes a day. Celebrate small achievements and don't be ashamed if they take longer than expected.
I have always believed that you have to work on your business every day. If nothing else, take one action every day and your business will grow. Remember, all it takes is that one step every day to create your journey.
So, how are you doing on your goals and systems?
If you want to talk about it, connect with me for a FABULOUS Strategy session:
Book your time. (this is not free because once you are done with our strategy session, you will have action steps to move forward.)
Here is a link to my Ecommerce planner on Amazon
Leave a comment
Also in eCommerce Success Blog
What is the difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Products import and export?
By Veronica Jeans, Bestselling Author November 16, 2024
Shopify CSV vs Matrixify Excel: A Comprehensive Guide to Product Management
Managing product data in an e-commerce platform can be a complex task, especially when dealing with large inventories. This article compares two prominent methods for handling product data in Shopify: the native CSV system and the Matrixify Excel approach. We'll explore how these tools differ and why choosing the right one can significantly impact your workflow efficiency.
Shopify vs Matrixify Comparison
Detailed Comparison between Shopify & Matrixify Product Management & Uploads
File Format and Basic Handling
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
Data Management Capabilities
1. Product Export Features
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
2. Image Handling
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
Advanced Features
3. Metafields Management
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
4. Product Updates and Maintenance
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
5. Inventory Management
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
6. Template Management
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
Special Features
Matrixify Exclusive Capabilities
1. HTML Code Optimization
2. Variant Management
3. Publishing Control
Best Practices and Recommendations
When to Use Shopify CSV
When to Use Matrixify Excel
While Shopify's native CSV system provides basic functionality for smaller stores, Matrixify Excel offers a more robust, flexible, and efficient solution for managing product data. The choice between the two largely depends on your store's size, complexity, and specific needs. For larger operations or those requiring detailed control over their product data, Matrixify Excel presents clear advantages in terms of functionality, efficiency, and scalability.
Remember that investing time in learning the more powerful tool can save significant time and reduce errors in the long run, especially as your store grows and your product management needs become more complex.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
What's the main difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Excel?
The main difference is that Shopify CSV is a basic file format with limited functionality, while Matrixify Excel offers advanced features like real-time tracking, multiple sheets, and partial updates. Matrixify also allows you to work with pure Excel files instead of CSV format.
Which option is better for my store?
It depends on your store size and needs:
Use Shopify CSV if:
Use Matrixify if:
File Size & Limitations
What are the file size limitations?
Shopify CSV: 15MB maximum
Matrixify: Can handle gigabytes of data (600,000+ products)
How many products can each handle?
Shopify CSV: small catalog
Matrixify: 600,000+ products in one import
Features & Functionality
Can I update specific fields without replacing entire products?
Shopify CSV: No, you must replace the entire product
Matrixify: Yes, you can update individual fields
How do multiple images work in each system?
Shopify CSV: Requires separate rows for each image
Matrixify: All images can be in one row, separated by semicolons
Can I manage metafields?
Shopify CSV: No metafield support
Matrixify: Full metafield support with column-based management
Import/Export Process
How do I track the progress of my import?
Shopify CSV: No tracking wait for email notification
Matrixify: Real-time progress bar with estimated completion time
Can I cancel an import once it's started?
Shopify CSV: No
Matrixify: Yes, at any time during the import
Data Management
What happens to product IDs during import?
Shopify CSV: Creates new IDs, breaking collection references
Matrixify: Maintains existing IDs and references
How are variants handled?
Shopify CSV: Each variant requires a separate row
Matrixify: Can generate variants from combinations using semicolon separation
Technical Questions
How does each handle HTML in descriptions?
Shopify CSV: Leaves escaped HTML code as is
Matrixify: Automatically fixes escaped HTML code to normal HTML
Can I manage inventory across multiple locations?
Shopify CSV: Limited location support
Matrixify: Full multi-location inventory management
Best Practices
What's the recommended way to update product prices?
Shopify CSV: Must upload full product data
Matrixify: Can update prices alone using a simple price column
How should I handle large product catalogs?
Shopify CSV: Split into multiple files under 15MB
Matrixify: Can handle in single file with filtering options
Troubleshooting
What if my import fails?
Shopify CSV: Check email for basic error message
Matrixify: Detailed error reporting with specific row/column information
How do I fix broken product references?
Shopify CSV: Manually rebuild collections and references
Matrixify: No action needed references are maintained
Integration & Compatibility
Do these work with all Shopify plans?
Both work with all Shopify plans, but Matrixify requires a separate subscription.
Can I use these with other e-commerce platforms?
Shopify CSV: Shopify-specific format
Matrixify: Designed for Shopify but Excel format is more universal
Support & Resources
Where can I find documentation?
Shopify CSV: Shopify Help Center
Matrixify: Comprehensive documentation with tutorials and examples
Is there technical support available?
Shopify CSV: General Shopify support
Matrixify: Dedicated support team with Excel/import expertise
Cost & Efficiency
Which option is more time-efficient?
Matrixify is generally more time-efficient due to:
Faster processing of large files
How do they compare in terms of cost?
Shopify CSV: Free with Shopify subscription
Matrixify: Requires separate subscription but offers more features and efficiency
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