The 4th quarter is a time to summarize the year and prepare for the year ahead.
As we get closer to the holidays, the time available to do this summary becomes more difficult.
This leaves many scrambling in the first quarter to pull things together while kicking off the new year.
My Perspective
A little organization in early November will make our January selves calmer.
Here are just a few ideas.
Performance Documents: Pull project results, testimonials, and accomplishments. When it’s time for your annual review, all the information will be ready for the conversation.
Case Studies: A close tie to the performance documents, identify any projects that should be turned into case studies. Gather this information and have it ready for the next capabilities presentation. These cases (with confidential information removed) are also good to add to your personal portfolio.
Photographs: Organize your photos from the year. Ask family members to send you images from their phone. These could be pulled into a quick album that highlights all the special moments.
Taxes: Pull all your receipts and documentation. Get everything organized by category and placed in a single folder. As you receive the final information in January, complete the folder and send it in.
Your Turn
Do you get a head start on tax and performance documents?
How could starting these activities now make your future less stressful?
Are there other areas of your life that happen in the 1st quarter that you could prepare for now?