7 Things Entrepreneurs Should Consider During This Holiday Season!

As the holiday season approaches, for some entrepreneurs it's natural to start thinking about the year ahead and how they can set themselves up for success. For others it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and lose sight of their long-term goals. Whichever category you fall into, taking some time to focus on business during the holidays can help you start the new year off on the right foot and set the stage for an incredible year to follow.

Here are a few things that you could consider and do during the Christmas holidays to prepare for a successful year ahead:

1. Reflect on the past year: Take some time to reflect on the past year and consider what has worked well and what could be improved upon. This can help entrepreneurs identify areas of focus for the coming year and create a roadmap for success. We’ll be sharing more on this topic but some quick tips:

• Look back through your photo album by filtering the year. This will allow you to see and visualize some of the special moments that you captured and relive those moments
• Practice gratitude for the things and the people around you when reflecting back on the year
• Learn to remove the things that are creating clutter and have no space in your life or business

1. Set goals for the new year: After reflecting on the past year, entrepreneurs should set clear, achievable goals for the new year. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). AS part of my reflection practice I do an exercise I call “the circle of life”. Here I’ll break down my life and business pillars down and score myself in each category, followed by what score I’d like to see the following year and how I’ll get there.?
2. Plan for the new year: Once goals have been set, entrepreneurs should create a plan for achieving those goals. This may involve identifying resources and support needed, establishing timelines, and creating actionable steps. Remember that every successful business has a plan, from there you can prepare and finally perform by executing.
3. Take a break: The holiday season is a time for rest and relaxation, and it's important for entrepreneurs to take a break and recharge their batteries. Taking time off can help to reduce stress and increase productivity in the long run.
4. Network and connect with others: The holiday season can be a great time to connect with others in the business community and build relationships that can be beneficial in the coming year. Attend holiday events, reach out to colleagues and industry leaders, and take advantage of networking opportunities. Don’t forget the follow up, when networking one key differentiator is those that follow up vs. those that don’t. Make sure you send a note or email following a get together, to thank the person, recap some highlights and set some next steps if applicable.
5. Plan your marketing efforts: The holiday season can be a busy time for businesses, so use this time to plan your marketing efforts for the new year. This can include developing content like video’s, graphics and written materials , creating a content calendar, and identifying opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.
6. Take care of administrative tasks: The holidays can be a good time to catch up on administrative tasks, such as updating your business plan, reviewing your finances, catching up on training and learning opportunities and setting up systems for organization and productivity.

By taking the time to reflect, set goals, plan, and connect with others during the holiday season, entrepreneurs can set themselves up for a successful and productive year ahead.