Why the rush? Ditch the year-end sprint
Matt Hodkinson
Helping consultancies accelerate growth with unrivalled positioning and messaging.
There’s been a lot of noise on LinkedIn lately about the “summer scaries” -? that feeling of anxiety and overwhelm when you return to work after a holiday or a quiet period, which can make you feel pressured to rush into action to make up for lost time.
Many business leaders feel the pressure to either push for a strong finish or shift their focus entirely to planning for the next year. However, in consultancy, a balanced approach often yields better results.
Instead of viewing the year's end as a critical deadline, it’s more effective to see it as a continuation of your ongoing efforts.
Don’t buy into the “one big push” narrative
The idea that the end of the year requires an extraordinary push is a common narrative, but it’s not one that all consultancies need to follow.
For many, the key to long-term success lies in consistency rather than sporadic bursts of effort. While it’s tempting to see the final months of the year as a time to sprint, this mindset can lead to burnout and doesn’t necessarily align with sustainable growth.
Instead, focus on maintaining a regular cadence of work, output and productivity. This consistent effort, rather than a frantic end-of-year rush, is what will drive meaningful results. Whether it’s building your pipeline, tweaking your strategy, or reflecting on your team’s performance, a steady, ongoing approach will serve you better than a short-lived surge in activity.
Continuous reflection over year-end reviews
Reflection and performance evaluation shouldn't be confined to year-end exercises. Regular performance reviews, 360-degree feedback sessions and team check-ins helps you stay attuned to market dynamics, client needs, staff happiness and development. These reviews should be part of your ongoing process, not just something you rush through at the end of the year.
This approach could involve:
By making reflection and evaluation a continuous practice, you're able to course-correct in real-time, rather than reacting to issues once they've already impacted your consultancy. This proactive stance not only improves decision-making but also ensures that your team remains engaged and aligned with your strategic objectives.
Avoid the “dead month” mindset
It’s common to hear that certain months - August, December - are “dead” periods where little can be accomplished. This is another narrative that’s worth challenging. While it’s true that response rates may dip during holidays, this doesn’t mean that your efforts should cease. Instead, treat these periods like holidays rather than downtime, and continue your activities with the understanding that results might come at a different pace.
Moreover, if you’ve built a regular cadence of action and reflection, you’ll find that these “dead months” have less impact on your overall progress. By keeping your consultancy active, even during slower periods, you maintain momentum and set the stage for a strong start to the new year.
The tortoise had it right all along
Remember the tale of the tortoise and the hare? Turns out, old shelley-back knew a thing or two about consultancy success. By focusing on consistency, continuous reflection and regular action, your consultancy can maintain steady growth all year round.
It's not about sprinting towards an arbitrary finish line – it's about mastering the art of the professional power walk.
So, as you approach the year-end, resist the urge to frantically push buttons or zen out completely. Instead, keep jogging steadily towards success.
After all, in the consultancy race, it's not about being the fastest or the most relaxed – it's about being the one who's still running when others have given up.
And if you love a freebie...