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If your December seems busy, it is because it is!

December is a month of high productivity, transition, reflection, and preparation. It is a shifting point, where highly productive work segues into family time and then deep reflection and preparation for the year ahead. The shift from high productivity to wanting to clear the decks before the new year is both natural and essential.

Wise leaders embrace this natural energy to the extent their industry allows. This is because they realize this is a natural shifting point that prepares their team (and themselves) to start the new year strong.

How can you create a smooth transition from this year into the next?

It starts now, with four simple questions.

What are your two-week goals?

December 10 – “I want to launch these three new products on January 1,” said a business leader. “If you have any questions, let me know as soon as possible. I will be out of the office after December 15. Have a good holiday!”

Yes, this “year-end surprise” actually happens. And it happens a lot.

It illustrates what not to do to your team. You may have a team that cancels their plans and hunkers down to make the impossible happen; but they may become resentful. They may even spend what time they do have over the holidays looking for a new job.

Instead, pause now and ask yourself what absolutely must be completed before year end. Unless it is an emergency, these should be products, programs, or initiatives that are already in process. This is a time for finishing work in progress, and these should come as no surprise to your team if you have been communicating well throughout the quarter.

Look at it in terms of a two-week timeframe versus a full four-week timeframe. Realistically, you will only have two weeks before your team shifts focus. Yes, they will show up for work; but their mindset will be shifting. Planning with this perspective in mind creates a smoother shifting point for year end.

What are your plans for connecting with family and friends?

As important as it is to allow your team time to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends; it is equally important that you, as a leader, do so. You need the balance of these connections. It allows you to invest in those who are most important to you.

What are your plans and goals for the new year?

This is the ideal time to plan for what you and your team will be working on in the next quarter. What will you be launching in the spring? Now is the time to plan ahead for that timeframe.

What do you want to clear off the deck before the new year begins?

The last week of the year is the perfect time to clear the deck, quite literally. Note now what you would like to focus on during that time. This could be clearing out old projects or clearing off your desk. It could be clearing out commitments from your calendar that no longer fit your vision and goals. It could be clearing out old ideas to make room for new ones.

Know that in the final week of the year, this energy will come; and be ready with this in mind.

Allow your team this time as well. It is ideal for them to reorganize their workspace and wrap up administrative work.

Use this energy well, and you will all be ready to meet the new year with a clean slate and clear focus.

Here’s to a great December that carries you and your team from productivity through preparation for a great new year!

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!