There’s still time to make big things happen!
Are you ready to finish the year strong?
The end of the year always sneaks up faster than we expect. With the sun still shining and leaves still on the trees, it feels like Dec 31 is a million miles away. But when you factor in holidays and vacations, time may be running short to finish everything you set out to accomplish this year.
But that’s not an excuse to slip into a lower gear. Not only can Q4 be your strongest quarter, it’s also an opportunity to set yourself up for a quickfire start to the new year.
Here are 5 rules to help you finish the year on a high note:
1. Set a Sprint Target
Count how many weeks you really have left (subtracting vacations, holidays, and any times you might be short-staffed or otherwise stretched). As of today, I have 10 weeks left. Suddenly Dec 31 looks a lot closer!
Now look back at your annual plan.
There may not be time to get everything done. So, pick one target. Try to find the thing that, if accomplished, would have the biggest impact or set up the next milestone achievement. Maybe it’s something that will generate the most cash or remove a constraint that’s limiting your growth.
Once you’ve got your target, rally the troops and throw everything at it.
2. Take a Moment to Look Back
Take a step back from the day-to-day routine to get clear on the big picture health of your business.
What are you doing well now, that will continue to drive results in 2-3 years time? What do your customers like best about doing business with you? What sets you apart from your competitors?
On the flip side, what are your top 3 customer complaints? What would your competitors say are your strategic shortcomings?
Year end is a natural time to reflect on the factors creating the results you’re getting today, so you can keep doing what’s working and stop doing what’s not.
3. Evaluate Your Performance
Performance reviews aren’t just a year-end box to check off. They should force you to get really clear on how you’re measuring success, and how good you are at tracking and communicating about that. Does everyone on your team (including yourself) understand how you’re evaluating their performance? Does everyone (including yourself) know what metrics are on their scorecard?
If the answer is no, Q4 is your chance to course correct so you can start January with clear performance expectations and benchmarks.
If yes, Q4 is your chance to meet with your team individually to talk about where they are now, and where they’d like to be in the future.
4. Plan for next year
Don’t wait for January to plan the year ahead. Instead, map out the year in advance. What big projects or initiatives will you take on? What financial targets will you work toward? What other major achievements would be meaningful?
You don’t necessarily need a ton of specific details in next year’s plan. Just recognizing what’s most important to you personally and to the health of your business will greatly increase the odds that your day-to-day activities will help you achieve it.
5. Celebrate the year!
What will you do to celebrate your business, your team, and your achievements? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to share your ideas in the newsletter next week.
This Week’s Takeaway
The last months of the year are often the busiest. Taking time to focus, reflect, evaluate, plan, and celebrate will allow you to finish strong and kickstart January with a ton of energy and momentum.
Visit The Extra Mile ActionCLUB
If you haven’t heard, this month will mark the beginning of The Extra Mile ActionCLUB! Come out as a visitor to see the launch, and join the entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses together with coach support.
If you’ve been craving a chance to get inspired and build alongside other driven businesses, this event is for you.
Visitors welcome > learn more and book your guest pass here.
How Big Things Get Done: By Bent Flyvbjerg, Dan Gardner
If you’ve ever taken on a project, you know how quickly a big vision can slip off track. This book unpacks why most ambitious projects stumble and what sets the rare successes apart. With research data and a set of tested principles, you’ll find some solid takeaways on how to avoid costly missteps to get any ambitious project done (on time and on budget).
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