Leave it all on the playing field: 10 doable ideas for creating your best December

When playing soccer back in high school and college, I would always try to “leave it all on the field” in the final minutes of a game.

I loved that feeling of satisfaction after a tough game, walking slowly back to the locker room with nothing left.

It made the warm shower and recovery time even sweeter.

Sometimes this extra effort was even the difference between a win or a loss.

This can be a really practical metaphor and mindset for business – especially when it’s tempting to let off the gas in December.

Let’s shift that. Right now, and create a little final sprint.

After 15 years in sales and business development, I’ve certainly seen and heard and made up a lot of excuses to throw in the towel in December.

“There are only two weeks left, so why bother…”?Or “no one responds in December – they’re too busy.” Or “December is always our worst month, anyway.”

No.?Stop it. It’s tempting to go there and write it off.

Don’t. Let's play a game instead.

I’ve witnessed firsthand how the intention to finish strong can often pay off.?I’ve seen big deals closed on Dec 31 at 11:59 P.M.

So, while everyone else is easing off, quietly suffering inside worrying about work not feeling complete, and then not really enjoying vacation, you could have some real fun and turn up the gas.

Then really relax and enjoy your downtime.

Get into action. Creative action is way more fun than giving up too soon and the subsequent guilty should woulda hangover.

Why not create the most engaging two-week sprint of your life before the break?

Here are 10 doable ideas that might spark something in you, or even earn you a little extra money, or move your business forward. Or at a minimum, set you up for some nice momentum in 2023 and maybe help some people in the process.?

(Key mindset: Notice that all of these ideas are grounded in the mindset of “how can I be of service…” not “what can I get…”)

1.????Set an intention to something fun you would really like to create, and then see if you can go create the money in two weeks by serving people. Like "I am going to create a trip to Greece next year." Then fill your calendar with conversations with the intent to help other people and see what happens.

2.????Follow your inspiration and create or write something from your expertise that you can share on LinkedIn or give clients or prospects.

3.????Block two hours a day or commit to contacting a slightly uncomfortable number of more people per day.

4.????Go for a walk and reach out spontaneously to whoever pops in your head. Offer them gratitude or something to make them smile.

5.????Create an event or class or program that you will be offering in January or February and start enrolling people for it.?Ask them who else to invite. Do a free preview in early January.

6.????Ask two clients a day if there is anything they need to finish the year strong and see if you can facilitate a solution.

7.????Hold a brainstorming session with your team to see if there are any important projects that could be moved forward or get completed with an end of year sprint.

8.????Create a fun contest for your team or with an accountability buddy to see how many people you can serve in the next two weeks.

9.????Make a bold outreach to someone who seems “out of your league,” but who might be able to really help you or your business move forward. Could be a dream client or an author you admire. (Richard Branson responded to me on Twitter, once. Ya never know...)

10.?Go interview your colleagues and see what they would do to create a 2-week sprint.

Here’s one more – on me.?I’m launching “Flip it Fridays” – free 25 min coaching sessions to help support leaders in flipping a challenge into an opportunity, or an opportunity into an action. Starting this Friday, Dec 2nd. ?

I’ve seen lots of lives change in my coaching practice. All kinds of possibilities pulled into existence from two people putting their heads together for 25 mins of focused creation time.

If you’re a leader facing in a big challenge or big idea that’s stuck, bring it in to "Flip it Friday," and we’ll see if we can move the needle together.?

First come, first served. Snag a spot in the next couple weeks and let’s get you into action around moving something forward. Sign up here: https://calendly.com/flip-it-friday/25min

[Please give a thumbs up below, pay it forward, and share this article if you found your day even 1% better.?1% progress a day compounds quickly. More inspiring articles here: newedgecoaching.com]