Congratulations!  You survived 2009. Take a bow. Now let’s look at getting back on the success track this year. No deep, dark secrets or gimmicks. Just good, down-to-earth common sense.
Here is a short to-do list, and not one of the items on it should catch you by surprise. In fact, you’ll probably say, “Oh, yeah, I know that.” Exactly. Here they are:

Have goals … and a strategy to achieve them. Success is the result of a plan, not luck. If you don't know where you want to go and how you intend to get there, you won't. Do a business plan. Then build everything you do — each and every day — around it. This gives you focus and is one of the key factors that make businesses successful.

Work hard. Some people say the secret to success is to show up early and stay late. Remember that success doesn’t necessarily go to the best and the brightest, but to the most determined.

I know one business owner who logged long hours — 70 or more a week — building his computer shop. He should have failed a dozen times, but he refused to quit. Now, starting to enjoy success, he works only about 60 hours ... and isn't sure what to do with his spare time.

Learn business concepts. Build your knowledge and build your business. Most small business owners are product or service specialists, not professional business managers. However, the more they learn about business techniques, the more profitable their companies become. Devote just 30 minutes a day to reading a book or magazine on business; attend one industry seminar or meeting a year; consider college and university courses on business management.

Keep good records, and track your income and expenses closely. When I owned a small publishing firm, we checked the numbers every morning. It took exactly five minutes, but it helped us spot potential trouble areas and dangerous patterns early. Then every month I analyzed income, expenses, areas of profit, loss, etc. I knew at all times where we stood financially, and I saw almost every problem on the horizon, long before it could cause serious damage.

Avoid excessive debt. Credit can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Many business owners fail because they go into debt to finance a vague idea, without a clue as to how the money will be repaid. Borrow only as part of a specific strategy, with a clear plan for repaying the money. Never attempt to borrow your way out of debt.

Practice “controlled paranoia.” This goes back to keeping good records. Constantly look for trouble and problems so you can jump on them early, before they become serious. One new business owner once asked me if I worry a lot about money. “All the time, every day,” I told him. I always know exactly how much is in my company’s accounts receivables, as well as month-to-date and year-to-date income. I am also keenly aware, all the time, of my customers, my competition, interest rates, you name it. This goes with the territory. The key: I have learned how to turn the switch off when I leave work and (usually) get a good night's sleep. 

Love what you do. Passion for success can overcome a lot of other failures. In fact, that's what makes everything else work out. If you love what you do, the long hours will fly by and the tough times will seem more invigorating than depressing, more challenging than daunting.

Sure business is tough, and for many of us 2009 was a bear and a half. Hopefully, 2010 will be better. However, an improving economy alone is not enough. You need to focus, plan, map out a strategy to recover, maintain and build your operation’s success.

By John Ingrisano

John Ingrisano is a small business owner and the author of The Back to Basics Book of Selling: A Guide to A Successful Sales Career. Contact John at john@ TheFreestyleEntrepreneur.com.