11 Things To Do To Close Out 2022
Hopefully you’ve been busy closing sales, but this is a reminder to take a moment and truly close out your year.
It’s December 20th and that means 11 days until we toast to the new year ahead. So here are 11 things to do before you put on your party hat.
1. Call your accountant.
Not an email or a text. Take a few minutes and have a call with them, it is worth your time. Review your numbers for the year and do the year end financial plan to close the year. This avoids surprises at tax time and makes the process smooth for you and your accountant.
2. Compare your sales from last year to this year.
Look at your growth trajectory. Is it in line with prior goals you’ve set? If it’s not, where were the obstacles? If it’s more, what opportunities led you to that? If there’s other data you can compile, or have someone on your team compile, that enables you to see the past year with a fresh perspective and step into 2023 with strong knowledge for your growth and success, that’s vital.
3. Review expenses and insurance.
We are all paying for a lot of things we don’t use or need, as well as investments that might be worth expanding on. This is the time to examine what you are investing in and if it’s giving you the ROI you need. From a marketing company, to a networking group, to a newspaper subscription. Many of the apps or software you might use for your payroll or invoicing, could have reporting available that would be helpful to see.
4. Check in with your clients.
Not about work, just about life. We work with people we know, like and trust. I’ve said it many times. I want to know what my clients will be doing for the holidays, how much time they will be out of the office and what they are looking forward to in the new year. Connections matter.
5. Do a team check-in.
Who has really excelled and what have you done to let them know? What responsibilities are shifting and growing? Are you looking to hire or expand a lot in the new year and are you prepared for that as far as onboarding processes?
6. Do a marketing audit.
Where will you focus your efforts in 2023? And what support will you need to do that? Again, it comes down to the data. If you know you’ve benefited from your engagement on LinkedIn, make sure it’s not just something you think about sometimes, make sure it's part of your marketing plan.
7. Get some last minute networking in.
Those holiday parties, end of year events and even virtual meetups are a great chance for one last check in before the end of the year. One more time to close a sale or have a conversation. Why wait until the new year for things that can get into the pipeline now?
8. Declutter your office.
It’s time to clean and organize. I know I dread this task, yet love when it’s complete. Get rid of those old notebooks or get someone to add that pile of business cards to your CRM system. Unsubscribe from junk emails, paint the walls, add new art. Whatever you need to do to feel energized as you step into a new year.
9. Take a moment to reflect.
This is important. You’ve had many accomplishments over the past year and probably a few failures, as well. Reflect on it all. Think about it. Write about it. Talk about it. That could be with your team, your coach, a mentor, even just with yourself.
10. Set three goals for the first quarter of 2023.
Get into the mindset of new and set three small goals for the year ahead. Ensure they are SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.
11. Celebrate.
Honor what you’ve accomplished. Find the joy in your success. Sit in that feeling. Plan a trip or a team retreat. Host a networking event of your own. Take some time off. Buy a new computer. Celebrations will look different to all of us.
I’m sending you so much success and support and please know that I am always here if you want to chat, so feel free to reach out. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!