It’s the End of the Year As We Know It (You Should Feel Fine)!

Last month, we discussed how now was a good time to finish that last-minute year-end planning with a marketing plan. And boy, that was strong advice in the salad days of November. But you know what? To quote a song sung around this time of year: “It’s December the twenty-fourth, and I’m longing to be up north!”

Or, in my case, down south. We’re headed to Mexico. I know! I’m excited, too! At least I’m finally letting myself be.

This is the time of year, you see, when we lament all that we have not done. We get worried about all that won’t get done. This report didn’t get done. That project is still open. But here’s the cross-my-heart-hope-to-die honest truth: it will be there when you get back.

It will be there when I get back.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

My biggest work-related anxiety this time of year? Lost revenue. Simple, right? We’re a small business, and when we don’t have billable work to do, we don’t bill. Yet, if we don’t give ourselves a break, we’re actually less productive, resulting in crappier work, and yes, I used “crappier” in a blog post because it’s the end of the year and I am tired and I am certain someone will proof this and ask the question “Is it ok to say ‘crappy’ in a blog post?” and I will reply, “Oh, you better believe it is.”

No less august an organization than the Harvard Business Review tells us that vacation is good for business. Why? 1. You free your mind. Helps you get all sorts of creative-y again. 2. You reduce stress, which exerts a physical toll on your body. Not just the all-day tension thing, but the “I can eat cinnamon rolls all day as long as I stay at my desk being productive” thing. Oh look! A squirrel! 3. Your soul will thank you. You know, your soul? The part of you that longs for “a better way of life.” This is it! The chance for your soul to find rest and relax and linger.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that you know I’m a Jesus person. So, I tend to try to follow the teachings of Jesus. A few years back, I was invited to learn some new (or old, if you read your Bible) discipleship techniques taught by my now good friends Jeff Allen of the Thrive Coaching Network and Craig Broek, co-founder of the Denver Table and the Table Public House. One of the key teachings that I came away with was that Jesus worked from rest. He didn’t work and then rest; his work came out of a resting state. Check out this great little video on the teaching of this concept, and then give me a call, and we’ll discuss modern stress management.

Why not go home and enjoy Christmas with your friends and families? Because even if your family gives you the hives, you’re not working on your job. There is rest to be had. Make it merry!

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The last two weeks of the year at 2 Fish Company are the least productive. Most of our clients have stopped work for the year, most people are taking vacation, and we’re no different. The pace changes, the amount of time worked is reduced. I’d rather we all spend time with our families than try to force something to happen. The days of working on Christmas Day are Dickensian, and thank goodness that’s in the past.

So if you’re looking for us in the next week, we’ll still be answering emails, just on a time-delayed basis. We have worked hard; you have worked hard. Let’s enjoy a well earned respite, and come back for the excitement of 2024.

See you soon, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

SHARE IT!