For most of us, it’s been a long year from start to finish keeping the candles burning both at work and at home. We’re tired. The days are shorter. We’d like nothing more than to coast through the holidays and re-emerge after New Year’s. In fact, there seems to be an instinctual drive telling us to hunker down and get introspective.
That said, business must go on — at least to some degree. After all, we all can’t just close up shop and hang out a sign that reads, “See you in January!” The words “pace” and “execution” come to mind as the keys to keeping your business on “simmer” through the holidays so you won’t have to start cold in January.
You CAN have the best of both worlds. You CAN enjoy a holiday respite from the daily grind while you also maintain momentum toward the goals you set at the start of the year. I wrote a blog on the topic more than a decade ago. It still applies, so here it is again. Enjoy!
Keep Your Business on Simmer through the Holidays
Are you looking forward to year’s end? Do you find yourself thinking, “If I can just hold on another week or two” or “If I can just make it to January 1, everything will be OK?”
If so, you’re not alone. What with all the recent economic ups and downs, business as usual in Washington DC, and seemingly constant unsettling news abroad, it’s enough to make us all look forward to December and the holidays as a sort of “finish line” for the year. Add commitments such as company holiday parties, gift shopping, assorted school activities, family gatherings, and more, and it’s no wonder stress levels tend to elevate this time of year.
Take A Breather, But Don’t Hibernate
I’ll be the first to admit that everyone needs time to step back and take a breather from all the monkey chatter and “noise, noise, noise.” What better time of year to do it than December? It’s when the calendar runs out on the current year, only to refresh itself January 1 with all the promise and mystery of what’s to come. Seems like perfect timing!
But what does it do to the forward momentum of our businesses when we’re just hoping to cross the finish line. Shouldn’t we want to cross that line and just keep on going?
Unlike Scrooge and his partner Marley, I get that life isn’t all about the pursuit of profit, but can business owners really afford for their companies to hibernate for what could amount to a month or more (December to January) this time of year? After all, December can be a make-or-break month for many businesses, especially those in the consumer services and retail arenas. This is not the time to let up. If you do, you might just be losing out on your best opportunity for profit all year long. And like it or not, profits equal jobs, and jobs mean economic security and well-being for families.
The Art of Pacing Yourself
At the same time, don’t put the pedal to the metal all year long only to leave yourself with nothing in the tank come December. Pace yourself. Take time year-round to reflect, be with friends and family, and recharge. That way, when December comes around, you’ll be in a good place mentally, physically, and spiritually to honor what this time of year means to you personally and to keep your business cooking all the way through the homestretch.
The same “law of inertia” that applies to objects applies to our businesses: an object at rest tends to stay at rest, while an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Simply put, it’s always easier to increase the speed of an object (your business) if it never comes to a full rest. It’s fundamental to the way things work!
You Make the Call!
So, what’s better for your business this time of year—slamming on the brakes, letting things go dormant, and hoping to find some magic momentum to kick things off come January 1? Or keeping your business on “simmer” through the holidays so that when the new year rolls around you’re not trying to jumpstart things from a standstill?
What is your approach to business during the holidays?
LET’S GET CREATIVE
Let Barrel O’Monkeyz serve as your seasoned, outsourced marketing team. Our barrel is full of talent and creative minds ready to prove we don’t just monkey around! Contact Barrel O’Monkeyz Today
