2. Contact your people
It might be too late to send cards so start
calling people who have meant something to
you this year. You only need to talk for a
minute but this can be more meaningful than a
Christmas card. If there is no time for a call
simply send a text.
3. De-clutter your office
Empty at least two filing cabinet drawers and
if possible empty a complete cabinet and
take it down to the local charity as a
donation. Scan the paper and throw it!
4. Congratulate your staff
At your final meeting of the year, get
together and congratulate people on their
achievements. If possible give awards to
your staff and don't forget to give some silly
awards e.g. “Craziest Shirt of the Year” or
the "Comic Character”.
5. “Green” Initiative
Nominate at least one "green" initiative you
are going to adopt for next year. Is it to throw
out the fridge, replace the inefficient lighting
or start a recycling program. There are plenty
of non-for profits that will assist here.
6. Christmas present for
your business
Buy your business a Christmas present. Is it
the new printer, a piece of software or a
new lounge for the waiting room? This will
give you a lift for the New Year.
7. Pay your bills
Make sure all bills are paid before the end of
the year. This will put your mind at ease and
will also give your suppliers and clients a
happier Christmas. If you have a cash flow
problem, write down the bills that you
intend to pay January and promise yourself
to pay them when the cash comes in.
8. Charity
Do at least one thing for someone less
fortunate than yourself. This could be a
company donation to a charity or a round
of volunteering at a local church or
community service organisation.
9. Invite your children to
work
Ask one or more of your school-aged
children to come into your work. They can
help you clean up, do important tasks or
just get to know what you do at work.
10. Meet some local people
Invite people working near you to
come in for a cup of tea and cake.
Get to know more about the
people working around you.
11. Delegate your work
Work out one thing you did this year that you
can delegate. Is it your email inbox? Is it
bookkeeping, an administrative task, or
managing your events? How you will
delegate this task next year? Will you
outsource, employ extra resource or give the
job to somebody already employed by you?
12. Keep up or take up
regular exercise
At Christmas we eat, drink and party
more and hence need to make sure we
look after ourselves. Go for long walks
either in the morning or in the evening.
13. Think about hiring a
Business Coach
What's the one area where your
business or your personal effectiveness
can be improved next year? Write it
down now. Don't wait until after the
break when things have gone a bit stale.