If you are a summer camp, the busy season is April – August.
If you are an accountant, February through April 15th is your busy season.
Some industries are busy in December. It’s the time they close deals, collect outstanding invoices, or just finish out the year of projects.
For me, December has traditionally been quiet. Most of my clients are either wrapping up their year, taking some time off for the holidays, or otherwise less active than throughout the rest of the year. New business inquiries also slow down somewhat in December.
This gives me some open space on my calendar.
So every year in December, I take some time “off.” I don’t mean a vacation, I’m not headed to sunny Florida or the beautiful snow-covered wonderland of the Rocky Mountains.
I take some time off from the day-to-day activities, I don’t check my email more than once per day, I create open space in which to think.
During this time I read books and blogs that I didn’t get around to, I listen to podcasts that I wish I had time for earlier in the year, I work on side projects that are merely a series of notes scribbled on graph paper and notes scattered in Evernote.
Every year, my December ends with projects completed, new products and services, an upgraded or revised website, sales materials, or content calendar. I use the last mile of the year to prepare myself for next year.
Every year I want to head into the next year smarter and more prepared than the previous year.
What will you do with the last mile?