Time flies when you’re having fun, right? January hit and with the blink of an eye, here we are in November. Most of us start out each year with a fresh list of tasks we hope to accomplish before the year ends and if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably crossed off only a small handful from that list because let’s face it, life finds a way of throwing us curve balls any chance it gets. When Q4 comes around, it’s a mad dash to the finish line and we often find ourselves on an overly ambitious mission to get it all done, which we know isn’t always possible. There is where prioritizing becomes key. We of course want to feel accomplished a sense of completion as we head into a holiday break, but need to be realistic so we’re not setting ourselves up for disappointment. Set yourself up for success by knocking these things off your list:
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Set goals
We usually start building out our to-dos in January, but the end of the year is actually a great time to jump on this. You’re fresh off the mid-year grind with key learning’s you want to apply to the next year. So why not start that list now instead of waiting until January when some of those have already slipped from your mind? Use this time to reflect on the past 10 months and see where and how you can improve for the year to follow.
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Budget
Take a look at your financial situation and plan ahead. See where your spending’s fell this year and build out your 2018 budget now. Throw your holiday bonus into the mix and hey, you might end up with a nice lump sum you can use toward a spontaneous vacation.
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Clean and organize
Even though you’ve likely kept up with cleaning your office throughout the year, take this time to go through your desk, files, drawers and any other spot that at some point during the year turned into a junk collector. Toss anything you don’t need and find a home for the items you want to keep around. Put the time in now to clean and organize so you come back to an office that’s fresh and ready for the year ahead.
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Get your health in check
I know I’m not the only one who pushes off doctor appointments throughout the year or cancels them altogether but if you haven’t been to the dentist in the last 2 years, it’s probably time to take a trip to the Dentist in Framingham. You wouldn’t let your car go without a service, so why you let your teeth go without a professional clean? When our lives are moving too fast and our days are jam-packed with work and other obligations, we often let these fall by the wayside when they should actually be a priority. Take this time to get your annual physical, eye checkup, dental cleaning and any other appointments you’ve bailed on so you can start the New Year in tiptop shape.
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Enjoy
This is probably the most important thing of all, and the thing I often find myself forgetting to do. We work like crazy all year, bouncing from one activity to the next, like clockwork, and rarely take the time to take a step back. Well now’s the time! Take a moment to reflect on your year and be proud of all that you’ve accomplished. It’s easy to lose sight of that when you’re in the moment, so use this time to come up for air and enjoy all the celebrations that come with the season. You earned it, so don’t forget to take advantage.
