We are less than one week away from 2024 ending. Running a business, leading a team, or keeping the entrepreneurial train moving at this point can feel like sprinting on fumes. If you are tired, distracted, or overwhelmed, trust, you are not alone!
Now, we all know that the end of Q4 is more than just deadlines, holiday chaos, and year-end goals. It’s about wrapping up with intention and giving yourself the gift of a fresh, focused start in the new year. So let’s not lie to ourselves... how we close out this year is the tone that will be set for how we start the next. Make the decision to close the year out strong!!
Close Strong
Skipping year-end reflection and strategic planning, will basically have you walking into the new year blindfolded, and who chooses to walk around blind? Making time to look back, tie up loose ends, and plan ahead gives you:
Clarity to know where you stand and what comes next.
Confidence that you've done the work and have a plan.
Momentum to start off the year strong.
What Gets in the Way?
Because let's be honest, something always gets in the way! Just like I intended to get this blog out a week ago!! The key is to call out the things that get in the way of closing out the year strong. As real and justifiable they may be, let's talk about some of the more common ones that show up this time of year and how to kick them to the curb!
Overwhelm from the holidays: Juggling gift shopping, family time, and client demands?
What to do: Block time for work, family, AND for yourself. Protect it like your life depends on it...because peace of mind does!
Fatigue: Ok, I'll admit it, some of us legitimately feel this year round. So it is time to rest, and rest is not laziness... it is the fuel that helps us think straight and act strategically.Â
What to do:Â Plan intentional breaks before you dive into and throughout Q1.
No Clear Priorities: If you don’t know what needs closing now, it all feels urgent.
What to do:Â Make a simple list:
What MUST get done? Finish it.
What CAN wait? Schedule it for January.
What’s just busywork? Drop it.
Your End-of-Year Action Steps Matter
Wrap Up Outstanding Tasks: Tie up loose ends like projects, invoices, or follow-ups.
Reflect: Celebrate wins and what you learned from setbacks:
What worked this year?
What didn’t work, and why?
What needs to change for Q1?
Plan Q1 Goals: Don't overthink it, and do not make an unrealistic impossible to complete list. Instead, focus on 3 to 5 goals that energize you realistic, and attainable...you know, that S.M.A.R.T goal stuff, lol.
Review Finances: Look at profits, losses, expenses, and taxes, and a clear budget projection for Q1.
Recharge: Seriously, take a day (or two) and do nothing that you would consider productive. Rest and refocus. Trust me, the world won’t end.
When you intentionally close out Q4 with purpose, Q1 feels different. It sets you up to be a proactive leader. A leader that has made room to respond instead of react, when things are not going exactly as planned. And that’s the type of leader that makes businesses thrive.
So, let’s wrap up 2024 like a Boss! Here’s to planning smarter, working lighter, and starting 2025 on FIRE.
Happy New Year,
Coach Brandy
What strategies do you use to close out Q4 and start Q1? Let’s keep the conversation going!
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