It is that time again: The time to make your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you are planning to lose a few pounds, get organized, go back to school, or stop smoking. Why not make a few resolutions that will help you become a more successful mystery shopper? Here are a few ideas.

Apply to more companies. The more data bases you are in, the more opportunities you will have. Set aside time each week to apply to two, three or more companies.

Upgrade your skills. Take a grammar class to make your writing better. Do exercises to improve your memory. Learn how to better use your computer to handle email and make report writing easier.

Use technology. Tools can make your job easier and help you to work more efficiently. In mystery shopping, those tools might include a digital voice recorder, apps for your phone, et al. Acquire the tools that will help you, then learn how to use them most effectively.

Organize your records. Make sure you have a system that works to help you track your assignments and when they are due, the fees and reimbursements you receive, expenses and other important information. That way you won’t miss any deadlines, you will know that you have received all the pay you are owed, and you will have a complete record of expenses to avoid overpaying your taxes.

Commit to completing assignments as early as possible. When you have 10 days in which you may complete the assignment, do it on day one or two, not day nine or ten. Schedulers will love you for it, and you will avoid those last-minute crunches to get things done.

Take on a new type of assignment. If you have never shopped a bank or apartment complex, or you have never done a reveal shop, or you have been curious about video shopping, why not try one this year? You might find you enjoy it, and the more types of shops you are willing to do, the more money you can earn.

Become an asset to schedulers. Doing shops correctly, completely and on time will go a long way toward making you valuable to schedulers. That will help you get more and better assignments. Be the go-to shopper by letting them know you are available for last-minute assignments. Knowing they can call on you in an emergency will make you a scheduler favorite.

Have fun! Mystery shopping can be very hard work, but it is also enjoyable. And, mystery shopping is much more flexible than most jobs. You decide which assignments you want, how often you want to work, your hours and more. Structure your mystery shopping so that you have more fun next year and every year.