When you’ve worked hard all year, it can be very tempting to slide into cruise control as the year winds down. However, putting a little bit of effort into a few key areas before you take time off for Christmas, can set you up for your return to business in 2016 with a sharp focus and strong momentum.
Take stock of your wins and losses
The end of the year is a great time to think about your year that was. Make a list of the things you did really well and what contributed to your success, and do the same for the things that didn’t work out so well and think about why. Can you apply this proven model for activities in 2016?
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
— Michael Jordan
Get organised
While it may feel like a hassle to file and tidy and clean at the end of the year, it will allow you to hit the ground running when you return to work in January. Plus, there’s something about a clean, organised workspace or business that gives you a positive energy boost. While you’re at it, go through your emails and create a 2015 archive folder for your must-keep items. This will also keep your IT department happy!
Plan for success
It’s a great time of year to map out your first few months, if not your whole year, of activity. While you’re riding the momentum of 2015, make notes, commit your ideas to paper, and formulate goals and strategies to achieve them. We all know that even after a weekend, not to mention a couple of weeks of leave, it can be hard to remember where we left off. So write your good ideas down before you head away and formulate your plans, even if they’re in draft form—it will give you a good, solid starting point in 2016.
Rest and recuperate
When your holiday begins, try to use it to rest and recover. Do some positive things for your health and wellness so you’re in good form to do the hard work it takes to run a successful business in the year ahead. Check out our industry contributors’ ‘game-changer’ holiday reading tips too.
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” — Colin Powell
Book a meeting with your PaySmart BDM
Your PaySmart BDM can help you work through these and other aspects of business planning so book a time to meet with them before you go on leave—two heads are always better than one! Check out our BDMs’ recommendations for key things to put in place before the end of the year for a strong start in 2016.
From our national network of Business Development Managers and from the entire PaySmart team, we wish you a great holiday season and every success in 2016!
Colin Walker
PaySmart National Sales Manager