Quick Tips: Prepare Early for a Successful New Year

The New Year will be here before you know it, and there's no time like the present to prepare for it. Recently I shared three things to do this December to close out the current year. For this week's quick tips, let's expand upon that with some easy things you can do now that will have you ready to hit the ground running after the holidays, getting your New Year off to a successful start.

Here are ten super-simple things you can do ahead of time to kick 2015 off right:

  1. Update your client files (archiving things you won't need any time soon, updating contact info, or creating new files for the New Year).
  2. Clean and organize your office, desk, or other work space. Come into a fresh environment on January 2nd (or whenever you come back to work after the holiday).
  3. Update (or create) your editorial calendar if you run a blog.
  4. Line up January's freelance projects if you haven't already (or further out if you can).
  5. Map out a writing, editing, and publishing schedule for your next book or e-book.
  6. Clean up your computer's filing system.
  7. Make any business purchases you want the tax deduction for this year (it's a good time to purchase year-long services that can help you grow your business for example).
  8. Download and review any data that can help you make better decisions for January (blog traffic, conversion numbers, email subscribers, etc.).
  9. Set new goals as appropriate and update both your long-term plans and your regular to-do lists so you can jump right in after the holiday.
  10. Read a new book that can help you grow your writing business in the New Year.

I'm sure there are plenty of other ideas I'm missing here, so now it's your turn. Tell me what you're doing between now and January 1st, and how it's going to prepare you for a more successful new year.

 

Profile image for Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern is a professional blogger, freelance business writer, consultant, and indie author. She runs numerous websites & blogs including All Freelance Writing, Freelance Writing Pros, NakedPR, and Kiss My Biz.

Jenn has 25 years' experience as a professional writer and editor and over 20 years' experience in marketing and PR (working heavily in digital PR, online marketing, social media, SEO, new media, and thought leadership publication). She also has 19 years' professional blogging and web publishing experience (including web development) and around 18 years of experience as an indie author / publisher.

Jenn also writes fiction under multiple pen names and is an Active member of the Horror Writers Association.

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7 thoughts on “Quick Tips: Prepare Early for a Successful New Year”

  1. Love this, Jen–thanks for the inspiration. I’m already looking forward to the 31st when I have my annual “clean and purge” office day–and break out the new calendar!

    Reply
    • That does sound like a fun day. It’s always a relief to start fresh. 🙂

      I’m planning to update my calendars tomorrow (the white board monthly and weekly ones on my office wall). This way when I’m back on the 5th, I can take a quick glance at the wall and get started. 🙂

      Reply
  2. I found this post at just the right time. I have set aside this weekend to prepare for the new year, establish my writing goals, and organize my workload better to maximize my time and productivity. Thank you so much for sharing some ideas that I overlooked!

    Reply
  3. Hi Jen, I was waiting to complete my New Years strategy but was so late that already new year started and realized it after completing it’s celebration. Nice post dear

    Reply

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