Posted by The shops have been full of mince pies since August (or so it seems), but we’re finally on the home stretch to Christmas and the end of the year.
December can sometimes feel like an endurance test for sure, but rather than resigning yourself to the fact that you’re going to put on weight, have a month-long hangover, or just come out of it completely exhausted, so this week I’m sharing my top tips to ending the year on a high note!
Tell yourself a different story
We all have stories we tell ourselves, and in a way they’re like micro self-limiting beliefs. This year, stop telling yourself stories like ‘I always get drunk at Christmas parties, it’s what everyone does’ and tell yourself something different.
So what if everyone else is going to parties and generally going a little bit crazy? Maybe that’s what you’ve always done before, and tell yourself that it’s just what happens, but could this be the year that you flip the script and tell yourself instead that you’re going to rein it in this year and instead have a superproductive month?
#DisciplineDecember
With that said, it can be all too easy to get derailed by invitations to go out and celebrate the season and you could find yourself tempted to go out every night and completely overdo it. It’s all too easy to be impulsive during December, but that generally doesn’t lead you anywhere good.
Make a plan of where you’re going to go, what you’re going to drink (if anything), and stick to it! Keep some strategies in your back pocket if you think you’re going to give in to temptation, and remember that it’s OK not to follow the herd, especially if you know that it’s going to leave you with a headache, an upset stomach and an empty wallet.
Maintain routines
As early as last month I was seeing ‘That sounds like January’s problem’ memes on social media, basically people saying ‘I’ll deal with it in the New Year’, and I think ditching your routines for these last few weeks is a huge mistake. It might be tempting to put things off when you’re knackered and just want to have some fun with everyone else, but really, what’s the point? You’re still going to have to do whatever it is that you’re avoiding.
Try and stick to your usual routines rather than letting things slide. Believe it or not, our brains crave routine and habit, so by changing things up you’re automatically stressing yourself out, not to mention the fact that by if you’re putting off a difficult work task, you know as well as I do that it’ll be at the back of your mind all over the holidays, until it builds itself up into some massive scary thing.
Get it crossed off your list now. The chances are that it won’t be half as difficult as you think it’ll be, and then you’ve got the added bonus of going into the break knowing it’s done.
Set yourself a microchallenge
Around now is the time people start saying they’re winding down for the year, which I think is slightly crazy: there’s still almost a whole month of the year left! Slowing down now will make it harder to get going in the New Year, so don’t use the festive season as an excuse to do less – try going the other way instead.
What’s something you can do between now and 31st December that will get you one step closer to your BHAG? Finding something that you can get done before the New Year will help you stay focused and engaged during the break and will give you some momentum heading into January.
If you’re struggling to know where to start, remember SMART to help you – make sure whatever you decide to do is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound – you can’t say ‘I’m going to be Marathon-ready by Jan 1st’ if you haven’t put on a pair of runners since the summer. Instead be really granular about it – ‘I want to be able to run X distance by Dec 31st and I’m going to train X times a week in the lead up’ and set yourself up for success.
Take time to celebrate your successes
This blog might be making me sound like a bit of a grinch when it comes to enjoying the season, but I really do think it’s important to take some time to reflect on what you’ve achieved over the year.
You’ve nailed some goals, you’ve wrapped up projects – that’s awesome! Take a breather, pat yourself on the back, and celebrate those successes. Recognising what we’ve done well can keep you motivated and ready to tackle the next challenge.
The key is to not let the party vibe take over completely. Have a pit stop rather than a never-ending break. Set a limit on your celebration time and then head back to your to-do list so you don’t sacrifice your productivity.
Be accountable
My last point is one that shouldn’t be solely kept for Christmas. Remember to stay accountable: if you feel like crap because you went out and partied too hard, don’t try and shift the blame onto someone else – it’s not anyone’s fault but your own.
It’s really important to own it if you head into the New Year feeling less than great. Alcohol, indulgent food, a drop in productivity… at the end of the day no one’s twisting your arm to eat or drink too much, or to sack off work early. Know your own mind, plan ahead, and, if you get a bit derailed, get back on the horse as quickly as you can without looking for someone else to pin it on.
By sticking to your usual routines now, it means that January doesn’t have to be a month of regret and trying to get motivated again. Stay proactive during the festive season so you can hit 2025 with some momentum!
If you want to start the new year with an exciting plan and an excellent support network, I’ve opened up the January 2025 intake for my Accelerator.
Gaining a clear understanding of how investment strategy and risk mitigation works, plus the finer details of financial analysis and portfolio creation – if all of this sounds of interest, then my Accelerator is for you.
Find out the most valuable lessons and insights I gleaned over my 30-year investment career, to help you become a much wiser and more resilient investor, with a thorough understanding of how to raise funds from investors and lenders without stepping on the landmines I discovered along my own journey.
To learn more click here and watch the video – https://epa-application.scoreapp.com