Use this self-assessment to check the progress of your health and wellness business against this year’s strategic and business plan.

It’s easy to overlook accomplishments in the day-to-day hustle, so be prepared for pleasant surprises.

And if you’re feeling stuck, use your answers to guide you to the areas that need a fresh approach.

1) Are you smarter today than you were on January 1?

Experience is a great teacher when you take time to learn from it.

1. What are the five lessons learned from last year that are helping you this year?

Doing what you’ve always done can hurt your business.

1. What products, services, processes or other activities has your business started, stopped, or streamlined this year?

1. What revenue, cost, or productivity benefits did you get from these changes?

Successful results happen through effective and active management.

1. List the key financial and operational indicators that help predict the performance of your business.

2. Are you checking these indicators monthly? What actions are you taking as a result?

2) Is your business serving customers better this year?

You probably started the year with great ideas for improving your products and services.

1. Think about your team’s five best ideas.

2. How many of these ideas are in place today?

We always emphasize the importance of really listening to customers and clients.

1. How many customers have you talked with in-depth since January?

2. Have you implemented or improved your customer feedback process?

3. What actions are you taking based on what you heard?

Analyzing lost customer opportunities is painful, yet instructive.

1. Which customers have you been most disappointed to lose in this year?

2. For each one, why did they choose to stop buying from your business?

3. What steps are you taking to prevent losses like these?

3) Is your business on a stronger footing than it was on January 1?

Many businesses underutilize a tremendous asset – their employees.

1. How often have you updated your staff on business performance this year?

2. How often have you explicitly requested their input, ideas and feedback?

3. How often have you updated them on the status of their ideas and input?

3. Have you addressed staff problems which existed on December 31 of last year?

Your entire business needs attention – not just the parts you enjoy most.

1. Think about the three to five areas of your business that you least enjoy – perhaps budgets, or tackling an employee performance issue.

2. How are you balancing your attention between these areas and the more enjoyable ones?

Building a business that can work without your constant personal involvement is critical if you want to build a business that can last.

1. How have you strengthened your staff and other professional relationships so that you can spend more personal time or focus on big-picture issues without jeopardizing your existing business?

2. If you constantly fight fires, what are you doing to put your business on a stronger foundation by year-end?

4) How’s your work-life balance compared to January 1?

Renewal’s not just for customers – it’s for business owners and managers as well.

1. List your most important personal relationships.

2. Are you doing the same, better, or worse at keeping your promises to these individuals…whether it’s picking family members or doing your share of household chores?

It’s not enough to make money – your professional life has to stay true to your personal vision as well.

1. Compared to December 31, are you closer to your personal goals, or farther away?

2. Are you satisfied with “where you’re at”?

Being a good neighbor matters.

1. How visible are your footprints in your community — whether it’s mentoring others, joining in church activities, civic organizations, or other activities that strengthen the communities we share?

5) Are your daily actions and your big-picture priorities aligned?

Success has two parts – what you do, and what you don’t do.

1. How well do your current business activities reflect your top three to five opportunities?

2. How well do your business priorities reflect your top three to five business risks or exposures?

3. What have you stopped or changed this year to free up time and money to tackle these opportunities and risks?

Now, take a step back.

Pleasantly surprised by your progress? Congratulations! You’re well on the way to a successful year.

Did your answers make you uncomfortable? Or give you a chased, guilty feeling? Tomorrow’s a new day. Begin by making positive changes.