Are you working with your dream clients? Do you have enough clients? Are you working at your highest level of productivity? Is the work you're producing the best it could be?

My guess is no because we're only human, and there's always room for improvement. If you're like me and need to work on some or all of the above, here are five realistic resolutions that will get you that much closer to running the best business you can in the New Year.

Network.

There's no excuse not to meet new people as often as possible. This is a hard one for me as an introvert even though I actually love connecting with others. It's sometimes maddeningly daunting for me to make the first step, break the ice, and start a conversation with a complete stranger. Once I do, it's usually pretty great and sometimes leads to new friendships, a new client, or a new perspective. Not sure where to network? Check out New Year's resolution #2.

Cowork in moderation.

Coworking is all the rage right now along with open office plans and artisanal coffee, but the thing is, working in the middle of a bustling office space with zero privacy is not for everyone. In fact according to multiple studies, it's probably not for anyone.

When I first started coworking I felt a mixture of elation and trepidation at this newfound work ethic. I liked meeting new people and finding myself in unexpected conversations with the stranger next to me. I enjoyed being surrounded by a constant buzz of chatter and the tapping of other people's frantic fingers at the keyboard.

That is, I enjoyed it sometimes. And other times, I felt on display, distracted, unsettled, and unable to focus for more than five minutes at a time. So, after feeling like a hermit for the first few weeks whenever I opted to work at home or in my partner's much smaller and quieter studio, I stopped feeling ashamed that I don't always like being surrounded by people when trying to be productive.

But I still think it's valuable to cowork sometimes, even just one day a week. It helps keep you from feeling too isolated, and sometimes being surrounded by lots of other motivated, hard-working solopreneurs is just the kick in the pants you need to finish a tough project.

When you're in the mood for it, coworking spaces can foster collaboration, creativity, and community. They provide camaraderie when you need it most and some even host happy hours — the perfect way to achieve New Year's resolution #1.

Set yourself a schedule and stick to it.

Yes, you are your own boss which means you can technically wake up at 8am one day and 10am the next, but are you really at your most productive when you begin and end work at a different time everyday? Make a schedule for yourself and do your best to stick to it except when something amazing comes up, like the opportunity to visit a hot spring or go on a killer hike, then take full advantage of the fact that you make the rules.

But really, plan to wake up at the same time every morning, don't hit the snooze button (I'm still working on that one), and get to your coworking space, coffee shop or home office at the same time each morning. You should also end work at about the same time everyday and then try not to work again until the next morning.

Our minds need some downtime in order to refresh and be productive again the next day. If you're disciplined enough to take a break in the middle of the day and then work for a few more hours in the evening, then great. I'm not that gal though. Once I close the laptop it's really hard for me to get back in the zone. So know thy zone and work within it.

Exercise.

It's not healthy to stare at a screen all day, everyday so try and mix a walk or some other form of exercise (weight lifting is a life changer!) into this aforementioned downtime. Don't have time you say? Not true! You will have more energy, thus be more productive, if you exercise. Also, regular exercise makes you feel better about yourself which means you'll have more confidence around your current and potential clients. If you exude confidence, people will trust that you can meet deadlines and turn out a sensational product, which you most certainly can.

Practice your craft everyday.

Aspiring writers are always told to set aside time for writing each and everyday. Those who write as a profession should probably set aside twenty minutes for personal writing after an eight hour day of client work, meetings, and endless emails. But really, who has the time? Add in exercise, making dinner, spending time with loved ones and reading a good book with that well-deserved glass of red wine or pint of microbrew (both are fine by me) and suddenly a twenty minute free write seems impossible.

I used to beat myself up over this but realized that for me, all the aforementioned unwinding tools are essential. I've decided to make this New Year's resolution realistic and simply aim to write everyday, be it personal or professional. One rule though — emails don't count.

Like what you read here? Get new posts once per month straight to your inbox.