As the year winds down and the Christmas jingles start echoing in shopping centres, entrepreneurs find themselves at the critical juncture of wrapping up one chapter while envisioning the next. It’s a time that calls for more than just frantic attempts to close out goals — it demands intentionality, leadership, and yes, a little festive humour. If you’re still clinging to those January goals like a child holding onto a Christmas cracker, this is your call to finish the year well.
1. Leadership: Setting the Tone for the Finale
Great entrepreneurs lead by example, and the final stretch of the year is no exception. Reflecting on lessons from my time at Back In Motion and mentoring others through the Iceberg Leadership Institute, true leadership is about steering the ship with clarity when the waters get busy. Here’s the thing: how you close the year speaks volumes about your culture.
Are you someone who bulldozes through December with relentless emails and “urgent” Zoom calls? Or do you pause to acknowledge the team’s wins, however small, and thank them for their efforts? Leadership during the year’s end is about balancing productivity with humanity. Remember, exhausted teams won’t leap into January; they’ll limp.
Pro Tip: Host a fun wrap-up meeting. Share the wins, laugh at the fails (every business has them), and ask your team what they’d like to see next year. Vulnerability is the secret sauce of transformational leadership.
2. Health: Don’t Neglect the CEO (That’s You!)
Finishing well isn’t just about the business; it’s about you. Entrepreneurs often pour every ounce of energy into their work, leaving their health as an afterthought. But a burnt-out CEO is as useful as a melted candle at a summer picnic.
From my own journey of balancing fitness with knee rehab and hiking ambitions, I know how tempting it is to postpone self-care. Don’t wait for January 1 to start prioritizing your health. Whether it’s committing to morning walks, ditching the endless mince pies, or sneaking in gym sessions, your physical and mental health should take centre stage. After all, finishing strong requires you to actually be standing at the finish line.
Pro Tip: Schedule a non-negotiable “you hour” daily. Exercise, pray, or simply switch off your phone (yes, even that magical device). Conviction in self-care translates to conviction in leadership.
3. Conviction: Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize
This is where goal-setting meets grit. Did you write down a set of ambitious objectives at the start of the year? Maybe you hit some and missed others. That’s okay. Conviction isn’t about perfect results; it’s about staying committed to what matters most.
Revisit your goals with an honest lens. Are they still relevant? Entrepreneurs thrive on adaptability, so don’t hesitate to pivot or refine unfinished objectives. But don’t let loose ends linger into the new year like confetti stuck in the carpet.
Pro Tip: Apply the “Rule of 3” — choose three key goals to close out and focus your energy there. Make them specific, actionable, and rewarding. Remember, small wins compound into big successes.
4. Celebrating Wins (and Fails!)
Entrepreneurs often forget to celebrate. The end of the year is the perfect time to pause and toast to what’s gone right. Did you expand your team? Survive a turbulent economy? Start something that scared you? These wins are worth savouring.
But here’s the twist: celebrate the fails too. Every misstep is a stepping stone to growth. I once invested in technology that didn’t pan out as expected, but the lessons learned have shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Sharing these moments with your team creates a culture of resilience and creativity.
Pro Tip: Host a quirky award ceremony. Think “Best Improvised Solution of the Year” or “Funniest Client Request.” It lightens the mood and reminds everyone that work can be fun.
5. Setting the Stage for Next Year
While you’re closing the books on this year, don’t forget to peek into the next chapter. Planning for the future doesn’t have to feel like a burden. Instead, it’s an opportunity to dream big and set intentions.
Entrepreneurs are visionaries, and a strong vision sets the tone for the new year. Take some time to think about where you want to go. What risks are you willing to take? What boundaries will you push? As I often say, success is about being the last one standing — so ensure you’re playing the long game.
Pro Tip: Spend a day on a personal retreat. No meetings, no calls. Just you, a journal, and the space to plan for what’s next.
Wrapping Up
Finishing the year well is about more than ticking off boxes. It’s about leadership, health, conviction, and setting the stage for what’s to come. As entrepreneurs, we thrive on momentum, but true success lies in the balance of work and rest, of ambition and reflection.
So, as you sip your eggnog or write those final emails, remember: how you finish says more about you than how you started. End with intention, celebrate with joy, and start the new year as the inspired leader you were always meant to be.
Now, go wrap up those goals — and maybe some presents while you’re at it.
PS: If you want more insights on leadership, resilience, and entrepreneurship, check out my books Unlikely and Outside In Downside Up Leadership. They’re full of stories, strategies, and maybe a little wisdom (learned the hard way!) to help you lead well.