Finish Strong: 5 Easy Tips to Wrap Up the Year with Confidence and Set Yourself Up for Success in 2025
As December rolls around, there are two types of people: the first shifts into “wrap-up mode,” with the tree up, emails flying out saying, “Let’s circle back in the new year,” and an out-of-office reply drafted weeks in advance. They’re not starting any big projects or chasing new goals—they’re coasting until January, content to call it a year.
The second type sees December as a secret weapon—an entire month to squeeze in that extra project, wrap up a big deal, or get a head start on January’s goals. While others are coasting, they’re hustling, determined to end the year on a high note. They don’t see December as a time to wind down; instead, they view it as a window of opportunity, asking themselves, “How can I make these last few weeks really count?” Instead of hitting snooze, they’re hitting the gas.
Wherever you land on that spectrum—coasting, hustling, or somewhere in between—there are ways to make the holiday period less overwhelming and set yourself up for success when you return to the office on January 6th, January 13th, or whenever you choose to jump back in. And hey, if you’re the type who picks a later return date, props to you—there’s something delightfully bold about easing into the new year on your own terms and still making it count.
I’m excited to share five tips to wrap up the year with confidence and make your January return feel more like a fresh start than a slog.
1. Reflect, Set Intentions, and Celebrate
Before you dive into “What’s next?” mode, take a second to look back on what you’ve accomplished. What wins are you proud of? What lessons did you learn? Reflecting on your past successes isn’t just a nice-to-do—it’s backed by science. Celebrating your milestones can trigger the release of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter that helps reinforce positive behaviours and keep you motivated. Plus, acknowledging what’s gone well signals your Reticular Activating System (RAS)—the brain’s filter for what matters—to pay attention to similar wins in the future. From there, think about one or two meaningful goals you can tackle before the year’s end.
Resource: How to Create Your Own Year-In-Review (Harvard Business Review)
2. Organize Your Workspace and Schedule
A tidy desk and a well-structured calendar might sound basic, but trust me, they can work wonders for your focus—and help you break down those end-of-year tasks into manageable steps. Consider using a task management tool like Trello, a simple virtual to-do list like Google Keep, or even old-school pen-and-paper. Maybe it’s about clearing your inbox now, drafting your Q1 to-do list, or blocking off a few January time slots so you’re not slammed with back-to-back meetings your first week back.
You have more control over your January schedule than you think. Take a moment to visualize how you want your days to look, and give your calendar a little “hygiene check” now to ensure a smoother, more intentional start to the new year. If you’re rolling your eyes and thinking, “That’s not my company’s culture,” I get it—but you likely have more influence over your time than you realize. It starts with acknowledging the problem. Don’t believe me? Book a free 30-minute call, and I promise you will look at it differently by the end of the call.
Resource: It’s Time to Become a Time Realist (NY Times)
3. Prioritize Self-Care (before you roll your eyes, read below)
I know, I know—seeing “self-care” on yet another list might feel a bit meh. But stick with me: instead of thinking big (spas, expensive retreats), what if you just pick one simple thing each week until the year ends that gives you a moment to breathe? For me, I’m cancelling one unnecessary meeting every week—turns out, most people appreciate the extra space too.
I’m also (re)committing to my mindfulness practice—but not in some unrealistic, hour-long daily meditation sense. I’m talking a quick, 5-minute check-in once I sit down at my desk after the morning chaos has settled (I have two small children, so the mornings can be a lot, and all before 9am). Five minutes to ground myself and reset.
Resource: Ten Percent Happier (recently rebranded as ‘Happier’) for quick mindfulness sessions. It’s got fewer cartoons than Headspace, and Dan Harris’s humour about mindfulness makes the whole thing feel less precious.
4. Acknowledge You Can’t Do It All
Real talk: Not everything needs to be done by December 31st. The world will keep spinning if you move a few tasks into January. Instead of trying to force it all in, focus on what really matters. A great way to sort this out is by using the Eisenhower Matrix—a super simple tool that helps you decide what’s urgent, what’s important, and what can wait (or go away altogether).
Here’s how it works: You put your tasks into four categories:
Urgent and Important: Do these first.
Important, but Not Urgent: Schedule these for later.
Urgent, but Not Important: Delegate or minimize these.
Neither Urgent nor Important: Eliminate or ignore these.
By mapping out your to-dos this way, you’ll know exactly where to focus your time and energy. It makes it easier to let go of the busy work and keep your eyes on what actually moves the needle. Trust me, once you see it laid out, you’ll realize not everything deserves a December deadline.
Resource: Eisenhower Matrix: How to Prioritise your To-Do List (Asana)
5. Find Your Perfect Planning or Gratitude Tool
Looking for a fresh start in 2025? The science behind goal-setting and productivity suggests that using tools like planners, gratitude journals, or workbooks can significantly improve focus and motivation. Studies show that writing down goals increases the likelihood of achieving them, and keeping a gratitude journal can enhance mental well-being by shifting your focus to positive aspects of life.
I’m testing out Roxi Nafousi’s new journal this year (it’s in the mail, so I’ll share my honest take in January!). If that’s not your style, don’t worry—there are endless options out there to help you find a tool that sparks joy and helps you stay on track. A quick Google search can lead you to various journals designed to boost clarity, organization, and personal growth in 2025.
Resource: Manifest The Daily Journal by Roxie Nafousi (But seriously, feel free to pick your own!)
Choose Your Next Step
At the end of the day, even if you’re just getting through December and everything feels like a lot, that’s okay. Skip the rest if it’s too much—just pick one small, meaningful step that’ll help you hit the ground running in January. Whether it’s blocking off a single day in your calendar the new year to ‘get organised’, clearing out a corner of your desk, or writing down one goal for the year ahead—every small action counts. The key is taking that first step, no matter how small. It’s your roadmap, and you get to decide what the journey looks like.
“It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort. And when you implement that effort every single day, that’s where transformation happens.” - Jillian Michaels, American fitness expert, nutritionist, businesswoman, media personality, and author
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Want to Step Into January With More Clarity?
If you’re curious about how individual or group coaching might help you step into January with more clarity and confidence, let’s connect. I run coaching cohorts throughout the year—focusing on career transitions, leadership in social impact, and navigating life as an independent consultant in the social impact sector. In a free 30-minute call, we can talk about where you’re at, where you’d like to be, and how to bridge that gap. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment—if the idea resonates, it might just be the right time. Book a call and let’s figure it out together.
