Are you set up for a successful new year?
Ending the year strong isn’t just about closing this chapter but setting the tone for the next one.
In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I discuss actionable steps to wrap up the year successfully and set the right foundation for the upcoming year. I guide you on how you can optimize your time, evaluate business activities, and get ready to hit the ground running in the new year.
Learn how to objectively take a closer look at your business practices, investments, and the individual roles within your business.
And of course, I discuss best practices for planning ahead, and how to make sure your vision is grounded in practical and actionable goals. I also share how having the right people, systems, tools, and automations can support your goals and why measuring progress is vital to ensuring progress.
In this episode, I dive into planning for a successful finish to this year and start to next year including:
- Clarifying next year's vision and goals
- Clearing out what doesn’t serve you
- How to avoid overworking in the new year
- Setting up the right systems and team to support you
- Maximizing end-of-year $ opportunities
Tune into Episode 201 of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast or keep reading below.
The Power of Saying 'No'
Now is a great moment to rethink where your time, energy, and resources are going. Whether you’re managing your team, working on your budget, or balancing personal commitments, choosing what to say 'no' to can make a huge difference. By cutting out distractions and focusing on what aligns with your goals, you set yourself up to enter the new year with clarity and direction.
The Chuck Technique: Streamlining Your Focus
If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know I’m a fan of the ChuCK Technique. This method involves categorizing your tasks and projects into four options: cut, hold, change, or keep. Assessing your activities through this lens helps you identify what drives value for your business versus what may be holding you back. Here are a few questions to consider:
- Is this providing a good return on my investment?
- Does this align with my long-term goals?
- Do I enjoy this task?
- Is it necessary?
Using this technique brings clarity and frees you from tasks that don’t move the needle.
Vision and Practical Planning
Tapping into New Possibilities
As the year comes to a close, it’s natural to start envisioning new goals. This sense of possibility is exciting, but to bring these visions to life, they need to be grounded in practical plans.
Avoiding Common Planning Pitfalls
Many of us fall into one of two traps: either dreaming big without follow-through, or setting up overly ambitious plans that lead to burnout. Both can be avoided by focusing on capacity-based planning. Here’s how:
- Honestly assess your time and resources.
- Take into account your team’s strengths and available capacity.
- Cover operational needs to support your plans.
- Build in some flexibility for unexpected challenges.
The SPSTI Framework for Building a Plan
Looking ahead, consider using the SPSTI framework – Strategy, Planning, Systems, Team, and Insight – to guide your year.
- Strategy: Define clear strategies that tie your vision to daily actions.
- Planning: Create a roadmap for both your back-end operations and marketing efforts.
- Systems: Lean on systems and automation to streamline workflows.
- Team: Ensure your team is prepared, and invest in training if needed.
- Insight: Track meaningful metrics to monitor your progress and make timely adjustments.
Leveraging Year-End Opportunities
Sales and Promotions
The end of the year can be a highly profitable period if you align your offers with seasonal buying mindsets. Consider holiday promotions or fresh-start offers that resonate with clients as they prepare for the new year.
Wrapping Up the Year with Intention
Finishing the year with purpose isn’t just about closing out these months—it’s about setting the tone for the year ahead. By making intentional choices, planning thoughtfully, and preparing your team, you’re setting up your business for success.
Here’s to a focused end to this year and an exciting beginning to the next!
For access to the workbook that accompanies this episode and all recent solo podcast episodes, sign up for our weekly newsletter at leanoutmethod.com/insider.
by Crista Grasso
Crista Grasso is the go-to strategic planning expert for leading global businesses and online entrepreneurs when they want to scale. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She specializes in helping businesses gain clarity on the most important things that will drive maximum value for their clients and maximum profits for their business. She is the creator of the Lean Out Method, 90 Day Lean Out Planner, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast.
