The end of the year often feels like a mad dash to wrap up projects, hit sales goals, and prepare for the holidays. But for entrepreneurs, this is the perfect time to lay a solid foundation for yourself and your business in the upcoming year. Here’s why you shouldn’t wait until January to get started.
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Why Start Now?
- Momentum Over Resolutions: How many times have you made New Year’s resolutions only to find yourself months or even weeks into the new year and your resolutions are already fizzled out? Starting now builds momentum that carries you into the new year.
- Pro Tip: If you find yourself struggling to stick with it, reevaluate your goals over and over. Pivoting is a huge part of entrepreneurship.
- Less Competition: While many business owners are coasting through December, you have a quieter market to make your moves.
- Time to Reflect: The year’s end naturally invites reflection. Use this energy to identify areas of improvement and growth.
Foundations to Focus On
- Streamline Your Systems: Are there tools or processes that aren’t serving you well? Take time to evaluate your tech stack, automate repetitive tasks, and create workflows that save time.
- Audit Your Business: Look at your analytics to determine what worked and what didn’t this year. From email campaigns to client onboarding, identify areas to optimize.
- Build a Strong Lead Magnet: Use the holiday season to create or refine a free resource that attracts your ideal clients. It’s a gift for your audience and a way to grow your list before January.
- Create a Content Calendar: Outline your blog and social media topics for the first quarter of the new year. You’ll thank yourself when January hits.
Steps to Get Started:
- Set a plan: Outline 2-3 foundational tasks to tackle before the end of the year. Keep them realistic and impactful.
- Pro Tip: One of my favorite ways to plan is the old-fashioned pen and paper. Grab a notebook and a planner and start laying it all. There is something about writing things down and checking them off that helps me feel accomplished. If you’re looking for a planner that is great for entrepreneurs, my favorite is the Content Planner for Creativepreneurs. This planner has been my go-to for 3 years now, and it even comes with a marketing course. If digital is more your style, that is okay, too. Find what works best for you!
- Leverage Quiet Moments: Use downtime during the holidays to chip away at these goals—whether it’s early mornings, late evenings, or slow business days.
- Invest in Yourself: Whether it’s a course, software, or coaching, end-of-year discounts often make December the best time to invest in tools or knowledge for your business.
If you are just starting out on your journey of entrepreneurship, here are some of my favorite must haves!
End the Year Strong
By using this time to strengthen your business foundation, you’re setting yourself up for a confident, proactive start to the new year. There’s no need to wait – the perfect time to start is right now. Future you will be glad you did it!