I’ve been having some conversations with someone about some potential business opportunities that we could have together. As we’ve gone back and forth, there have been some things come up that I could get real excited about. There is great potential for us to work together and have it turn out very well for both of our companies. 

Yesterday I asked to set up a time we could get together to work out some of the details and get going. I was surprised by his response, but as I thought about it, I started to wonder how many other businesses do the same thing he’s doing.

When I asked for the meeting he informed me that he’s swamped right now with things he needs to wrap up before the end of the year. This, I can understand. But it was the next part of the conversation that has been on my mind since we talked. He told me that he’d rather wait until January to meet because their company basically looks at December as a write-off month. He said they all start to get in holiday mode and don’t do much before Christmas, and then as it gets closer to the 25th most of them start booking time off until the end of the year. For those that don’t take the time off, for the amount of work they do they may as well have taken the time off.

Is this how you approach December? I hope not! 

Why not use the next 27 days to finish this decade off strong and set up 2020 to be great? What you do this month can really determine how your next year goes. Now is the time to get focused and get a jump start on your competition to start the new year.

If you give the following four areas your best effort, you can end 2019 strong and get a great start on 2020

Focus

This is a habit you need to work on daily throughout the year. But as we get closer to the holiday season and the distractions around you increase, you’ll need to be even more disciplined to keep focused

How much time do you actually spend being focused and working? With so many distractions so close to you I can be difficult. Taking a quick look at your inbox can turn into an hour of reading and replying to emails. Looking at one of your social media accounts can turn into mindless scrolling. Phone calls, employees, texts… The list of distractions can go on and on. 

Identify the things that distract you and determine how you can prevent it from happening while you put all of your focus into your work for a specific amount of time. Turn off the phone. Close everything on your computer. Lock your door. Do whatever it is that you need to do so that you can completely focus for whatever amount of time you’ve scheduled.

You can start this today by determining your top three priorities for tomorrow. When you start your day tomorrow, your number one task is to complete the things you have identified as your top three priorities. Don’t look at your emails, texts, social media or anything else that will distract you until you accomplish your top three priorities.

Schedule

Fill up your January calendar now. With so many people wanting to put things off until January, they’re going to be swamped when it rolls around. People are more likely to set January appointments in December than they are in January when things get crazy.

Too many people are just on a day-by-day schedule. They put more time and effort into figuring out their vacation schedule than they do with their daily schedule. Don’t come into Monday and wonder, “what am I going to do this week?” Don’t come into any day without it already being set up and planned.

Someone should be able to take a look at your calendar, and what you are trying to achieve this year is obvious. You have the meetings, events, presentations, follow-up and prep-time scheduled to make you succeed. It’s not about scheduling every second of every day, but it is about moving forward with intent.

What are you doing next Tuesday that is building your business?

Build and Strengthen Relationships

This is a great time of year to make the emotional deposits into your most important personal and professional relationships

Simply taking the time to call someone or take them to lunch can mean a lot to your relationship. Do you or your company give gifts at Christmas? Send cards? 

Take some action today. What can you do today to strengthen a specific relationship?

Personal Growth and Development

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey identified Habit 7 as Sharpen the Saw. He said to “seek continuous improvement and renewal professionally and personally.”

As we approach the end of the year, now is a great time to give this some extra attention to help you to be ready for 2020! 

How you start 2020 will determine how you finish it. 

Schedule some time for reading, attending courses, working with a coach, or anything that is going to help you improve your personal growth and skill development.

Take a look at our Guided Tour and learn how our online coaching system can help you grow and succeed both personally and professionally as you transform your business.

In 27 days we begin a new year. Those 27 days are going to come and go regardless of what you do. Don’t waste them. Do the things that will amplify your business and your life and allow you to finish 2019 strong and to build the momentum you need to begin 2020 and make it great!

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