Thoughts on Year-End Planning

Using the Natural Cycles to Plan Your Work

Like the almanac helps a farmer know when to plan, prune, sow and harvest based on the anticipated conditions in his region, over the years of my career I learned that I can supercharge my endeavors working with the natural rhythms of the seasons to stay ahead of the game. 

These are just my notes. None of these guidelines are 'hard and fast rules' but every virtuous advantage counts - right?

(Relative to the Northeast)

Fall - I'm using this time to finish any big/new/open projects. 

Similar to wildlife preparing for hibernation, it's a good time to take stock of what you've accomplished in the last year and start conserving energy for the months ahead.

Try not to start any new active projects now if you can, this is the time instead to build your Rolodex, attend conferences and seminars, take a class or certification to improve your marketability and most importantly, to invest in yourself. 

Winter - in the Northeast where I live, this is a time of deep freeze. 

From November until March, it can be difficult to get around and difficult to navigate the availability of your colleagues, clients and partners due to Holiday schedules, weather related issues, et. 

During the winter, I want to hunker down and plan for what I see completing in the spring. I want to plan my demand for the coming year. 

If I've done that well last year, then during the cold months I am still receiving dividends from my summer/fall projects.

I am not actively pounding the pavement for this though. Much like canned fruits and vegetables from the garden in summer; these are meant to feed you through the snowy months. These streams should keep you sated until new ground breaks in spring.

Spring - One of my favorite times of year! In the spring, I am all about to executing on those plans I made throughout the late fall and winter months. 

I am taking meetings with new clients, presenting and pitching my ideas, publishing new material and generally turning on full throttle. I'm evaluating all of the seeds I want to sow, and tossing out those that I don't think will make the cut. 

This is sifting and sorting season. Taking in all ideas, good bad and outlandish (especially) - then pruning them down, much like you would weed/prune a garden before planting the year's crops.

Summer - Ooh yes, the bounty of summer! 

If you've planned and executed properly during the other seasons, then summer is a bountiful time of closing new deals, bringing on new clients, founding new partnerships and watching them grow. 

Late summer is also the time when people normally take a few weeks to rest and recharge, reconnect with their families and with themselves - this is important. Rest is as important as activity. Follow their lead. Take the time away and mean it. Disconnect. You will much be much, much better for it.

If you enjoyed this, I'm glad. :)

If you want a printable version of this that I made for myself - I'll send you one!