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Is it just me, or does it feel like just yesterday we were setting our goals and dreaming big for what this year could bring… And now, here we are, with just a few months left of 2024?! I can’t believe it!
As we head into September, it’s the perfect time to reflect, regroup, and make a strong finish.
Maybe this was you – Last December, you were sitting at your desk, sipping on a warm cup of cocoa, and jotting down your aspirations for the year ahead. You remember feeling so energized and hopeful, ready to tackle new challenges and embrace fresh opportunities.
Fast forward to today, and while you’ve hopefully celebrated many wins, you’ve also likely faced setbacks and surprises.
It’s not just you – but it’s not over yet. I’ve learned that how you finish the year is just as important as how you start it.
In today’s episode, I want to share with you six actionable steps that you can take right now to ensure you end your year on a high note. These aren’t just tips for hitting those last-minute goals—they’re strategies to help you reflect on your journey, reignite your passion, and set the stage for an even better new year.
Whether you’ve had a fantastic year or one filled with more challenges than you anticipated, these steps will help you make the most of these final months. So grab your notebook, find a cozy spot, and let’s dive into how you can finish strong, feel accomplished, and set yourself up for success as the year comes to a close.
Ready to make these last months count? Let’s get started!
1. Do an Audit
As a visionary, I can get super excited about my ideas. I’m a manifesting generator so when I get a new idea, I want to start running with it and FAST. While this excitement and effort can lead to massive results, it can also unexpectedly derail my plans quickly if I’m not careful.
One thing I’ve learned about myself (thanks to Human Design!) is that I need to sleep on things and take a little space from them to ensure that they are my idea and that it’s something I truly want to work towards.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when doing an audit of your year so far:
- What were the goals you set at the beginning of the year or the last quarter? Are you on track? Did you fall off? Were they the right goals in the first place?
- How are you feeling: mentally, physically, energetically, spiritually – where are YOU at in your life right now.
- Has your definition of success shifted for you this year? Are you clear on what success should look AND feel like for you?
If you want more tips on how to do an audit in your business, check out Episode 748: Is Your Social Media Strategy Working? Do This to Find Out!
2. Revisit Your Rhythm
If you’re like me, summer completely throws off your rhythm, especially when you have kids. I went from having a very clear schedule with start and end times to being all over the place!
But don’t worry friend: now is the perfect time to get back into routines and rhythms that support you, your work, and your goals. Something to consider is: what part of the day you are most creative. How can you tune into your natural rhythms and do your best to set up your schedule to support your energy and creativity?
In addition, look at your daily and weekly rhythm. Are there places where you can optimize your schedule or rework it?
And lastly, are there any places to streamline your schedule, any places where you can eliminate meetings, and is there room for you to actually do deep work?
3. Commit to Consistency
I thought this was so fascinating… Sundried conducted a survey with a reach of 4,000 people and found that 43% of people expect to give up their goal after just one month. In fact, the second Friday in January is known as “Quitter’s Day,” when people are most likely to throw in the towel on their resolutions!
Can you commit the next 30 days to a habit or working on a goal with consistency to not only prove to yourself that you’re capable of it but to build up momentum as we approach the end of the year? What is a challenge you can set to show yourself you can follow through?
Something magical happens when you start to see yourself following through – your consistency breeds confidence. Don’t wait until January 1st… start NOW to create habits in your routine that will be second-nature by the new year!
4. Break Down A Project or Goal Into Bite-Sized Pieces
Sometimes we can underestimate what goes into a project or a goal and other times we can overestimate what it’ll take to get to where we want to go. The best way to combat either side of the coin is through getting super clear on what exact steps you need to do in order to achieve your goal.
To help us, we’ve created templates in Monday.com for nearly every project and that way we can not only see the steps we need to take, we can assign deadlines, assign team members, and track our progress all the way to completion.
We often see our goals and they feel so far away or out of reach that we’re paralyzed from even taking any action. So, take time to map out a project or a goal and break it down into smaller pieces so that you can start to make progress.
When you get clear on what steps you need to take to make that goal a reality and make room on your calendar to complete them, suddenly that big goal doesn’t feel so overwhelming!
5. Declutter and Organize
Clutter, whether physical or digital, can create mental blocks, reduce productivity, and lead to unnecessary stress. By decluttering and organizing, you’re setting the stage for a more focused and efficient end to the year!
This process involves clearing out what’s no longer serving you and creating a system that allows you to operate at your best. Here are some recommendations for decluttering your physical and digital spaces!
Physical Decluttering:
- Start Small: Begin with one area like your desk or a specific drawer. Removing distractions from your workspace can boost productivity.
- Sort and Purge: Use the “Three-Box Method” — keep, donate, and trash. Be ruthless about what you really need.
- Reorganize: Invest in storage solutions that work for you, like drawer dividers or filing cabinets, to keep everything tidy and accessible.
- Set a Routine: Dedicate 10 minutes at the end of each day to tidying up your workspace so you start fresh every morning.
Digital Decluttering:
- Inbox Zero: Sort your emails into folders or use apps to categorize them automatically. Unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read.
- File Organization: Create a logical folder structure for your digital files. Delete duplicates and outdated documents.
- Desktop Cleanup: Remove unnecessary icons from your desktop and create shortcuts for frequently used applications.
- Backup and Security: Use cloud storage for important documents and ensure your data is backed up. Update your passwords and security settings to prevent digital clutter from becoming a security risk.
6. Enhance Your Skills
The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on your skills and identify areas where you can grow. By enhancing your skills, you’re not only improving your current performance but also setting yourself up for future opportunities!
In order to figure out what you need to enhance, first look back at your achievements and challenges this year. What skills did you need but didn’t have? What would have made your work easier or more impactful?
Once you’ve decided on an area you would like to improve, it’s time to create a learning plan. Whether it’s online courses, workshops, or books, select a learning method that suits you. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a range of courses.
Then, don’t just decide to learn; set a specific, actionable goal. For example, “Complete a course on digital marketing analytics by November.” You also want to block out regular time on your calendar for learning. Treat it like an important meeting – it really works!
Finally, be sure to make a plan to implement what you’re learning as soon as possible. Practice solidifies knowledge, so find ways to integrate new skills into your daily work!
What Next?
I hope you’re feeling inspired and motivated to take these next few months by storm. How we finish this year can set the tone for the next one, so let’s make these remaining days count!
I do want us to keep in mind that ending the year strong isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and perseverance. It’s about recognizing how far you’ve come and setting yourself up for even greater success in the future.
So take some time this week to reflect on how far you’ve come, and make a plan to tackle what you still want to accomplish! I can’t wait to see what amazing things you’ll achieve.
Cheers to ending the year on a high note and stepping into 2025 with confidence and excitement!
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