December feels like a whirlwind, doesn’t it?
Deadlines loom, celebrations beckon, and a wave of "what the heck just happened?" washes over us.
But I always carve out time for a year-end review. It's not just about checking boxes or tallying wins. It's about stepping back, reflecting on the journey, and equipping myself for the road ahead.
Here are a few of my best strategies for conducting a year-end review for your small business.
Dust Yourself Off
Remember that awkward presentation you stumbled through? Or the ambitious project that didn't quite work out? Maybe you even tried (and tripped over) a new hobby or skill.
It's easy to beat yourself up over these moments, seeing them as giant red Fs splashed across the year. But here's the thing: trying, even when it leads to failure, is far more powerful than sitting on the sidelines.
So let's give ourselves a collective pat on the back. This year hasn't been easy. We've faced curveballs, unexpected hurdles, and maybe even a few face-plants. But we kept showing up, putting ourselves out there, and giving things a shot. That's something to celebrate.
Think of each misstep and how it taught you something, pushed you to adapt, and helped you grow. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, focus on the progress.
So, here's to the flops. They're not failures, they're stories of resilience, growth, and the courage to keep trying. After all, the most beautiful stories often begin with a few messy drafts.
Celebrate the Big and Small Victories
Running your own business is a thrilling rollercoaster, and sometimes the daily grind can hide even the smallest victories. But trust me, they're all there, waiting to be acknowledged.
Forget income for a moment (though, a financial win does feel good!). Let's cast a wider net and think about every milestone you've crossed this year, big or small. Did you launch that project you poured your heart into? Learn a new skill that opened doors? Connect with inspiring people who fueled your journey?
And while you're basking in your well-deserved glory, remember the people who supported you along the way. A heartfelt thank-you email, a shout-out on social media, or even just a sincere conversation can go a long way.
Reclaim Joy and Time
Remember when "work for yourself" meant doing your work? Me too.
Then reality sets it. Sometimes all the admin, social media, email and Slack messages make me forget why I came to work in the first place.
But that's not destiny. Every year, I claw back minutes (sometimes hours!) to fuel my creative soul and, yes, make more money. The secret? Brutal honesty with myself. I take a cold, hard look at the "meh" tasks and ask:
What steals time without offering joy?
What zaps my energy without adding value?
Can I automate, outsource, or ditch this altogether?
Then comes the liberating part: streamlining. I create systems to handle the tedious, delegate where possible, and ditch the rest. Suddenly, freedom!
Ask yourself those same tough questions. Look at your list. What can you simplify, delegate, or say goodbye to?
A Year-End Why-Check
Know the thrill of diving into a project you truly care about? The way it fuels your energy? That’s the magic of working for your "why." It's the reason behind the hustle, the fuel for the fire, the answer to the age-old question: why do you do what you do?
WHY the anchor that keeps you grounded when the inevitable storm rolls in. It's the compass that guides your choices, even when the path gets foggy. And like any compass, sometimes it needs recalibration.
Time for a "why-check.” Has your purpose evolved? Is the spark that ignited your journey still burning bright? Remember, your "why" isn't static. It can shift, adapt, and grow with you.
So, take a deep breath, silence the inner critic, and let's do a stream-of-consciousness exercise. Dump all your thoughts and emotions onto the page:
What made you jump into this work in the first place?
What keeps you going when the going gets tough?
What impact do you want to make?
What makes your heart sing when you think about your work?
No judgment, no filter, just pure, unadulterated honesty. Dig past the obvious answers and unearth the core values that drive you. This isn't about delivering the "perfect" response, it's about rediscovering the flame that ignites your passion.
What’s next?
2023 has felt like cross-country drive to me. “Are we there yet?”
My aim was to embrace the idea of “Done is better than perfect.” And I think I was successful at finishing a lot of projects that could have easily dragged on too long. Were the results spectacular? Not really. Am I ahead of where I was a year ago – definitely.
For 2024, I’m shifting gears a little bit. I want to focus more on being of service – not only to my clients, but to my friends and community. I want to genuinely make a difference for others.
I have a feeling the rewards for this may end up surprising me.
Albert Einstein said, "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." Success, then, isn't just about reaching the top; it's about the journey itself. It's about finding joy in what you do, how you do it, and most importantly, who you do it with.
How might you give back to your community this year? What opportunities do you think could open for you as a result?
Taking a deep breath and revisiting the past year allows me to gather my bearings. Instead of rushing headlong into the unknown, I can analyze what worked, what didn't, and where I want to grow. This clarity breeds calm ambition. It guides me in setting attainable goals and charting a course for the next chapter.
I hope 2023 brought you many gifts. And I hope 2024 is your best year yet.