Finish Strong: 5 Mistakes To Avoid As You’re Wrapping Up The Year

As you near the end of the year, chances are you’re clearing the decks and preparing for some much-needed time off. But as you’re following through and finishing up, there are some mistakes which can rob you of effectiveness and happiness in the short term and in the new year.

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It’s important to know that one of the best ways to get ahead is to get away. When you’re fresh you can be more innovative, more engaged and better prepared to make a great contribution—finishing strong so you can detach is an important effort.

Here’s what to watch out for as you’re wrapping up, so you can set yourself up for success when you return in the new year. Your future self will thank you.

Year End Mistakes to Avoid

#1 - Procrastination

It’s tempting to put things off until you’re back in the new year. As teammates and customers are also winding down, you may have more time to get things done or more runway to complete projects. But avoid the temptation to foist too much off into the future.

Often, when you do something immediately, while it’s fresh in your mind, you’ll be able to complete the task more quickly and more easily than when you come back to it later and have to recreate your thought process. In addition, it’s easy to overestimate your capacity in the future. If you’re like most people, you tend to be overly optimistic about the amount of energy and time you’ll have in the future—so if you put off too much, you’ll come back to a mountain of work and your motivation and performance will suffer.

The Fix : Get as many things done now as you can.

#2 - Trusting your memory

Another pitfall as you’re wrapping things up for year-end, is to trust your memory too much. At the same time there will be elements you won’t procrastinate, there will be things which make sense to plan for completion in the new year. But beware the mistake of trusting your memory too much.

You may believe you’ll remember your great idea or the details of the deliverable which will come due, but if you’re taking mental time off, it may be tougher than you think. The hallmark of a great vacation or staycation is to really get away. Ideally, you’ll be far removed from thoughts of work, and the more successful you are in getting healthy distance from your work , the harder it will be to recall things when you’re back. This is a good thing, as long as you leave a bread-crumb trail for yourself upon your return.

The Fix : Make notes for yourself and create prompts which will help you jump back into things with both feet.

#3 - Overpromising

The landmine of overpromising is similar to procrastination in that it draws on your optimism about your future self. And the end of the year is when requests for the new year tend to increase. People are planning for the results they want to drive in January and the projects which will be necessary to complete by March. Charities are asking for your donations of money now, and your time in the new year. And conferences want your attendance or your speaking commitments for the early spring.

Amidst this context, you’re likely to imagine all that you’ll be able to accomplish in the new year—and as a result, you may tend to overcommit. While it’s great to be positive, you will also want to be realistic so you don’t set yourself up to fail. In truth, your capacity and motivation in the future will be similar to what they’ve been in the past. No matter how refreshing your time off is, you won’t show up in 2023 with double your power.

The Fix: Be realistic about what you can accomplish, reflect on what’s important to you and be judicious about making all the most important commitments without overpromising.

#4 - Failing to Communicate

This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth saying: Communicate when you’ll be away and what people should do in your absence. If you share your plans with only a select group, you could face phone calls or emergency emails while you’re trying to relax.

Set up delegation plans or backup approaches in case things emerge while you’re gone. Trust others to step up while you’re away, and be clear about your schedule. Also be proactive about guidelines—letting people know under what circumstances they should get in touch and using what method.

The Fix : Overcommunicate your schedule and set clear boundaries for your break .

#5 - Failing to Turn Off

Perhaps the biggest pitfall of preparing for your break is to fail to turn off once you’re away. It’s a terrible feeling to get back and realize you didn’t really get the boost you needed because you didn’t actually detach.

Close your email and project software, put away your work devices, and remove icons from your screen so you’re not tempted to engage. In addition, plan for the books you’ll read while you’re off. Schedule the lunches you’ll have with friends. Set goals about the additional exercise you’ll do. Also be sure you have plenty of wood ready to keep the fire burning as you’re relaxing in front of it.

The Fix : Close down your work platforms and make plans for all the alternative things you’ll enjoy in your free time.

Being Your Best

Paradoxically, one of the best ways to excel, succeed and propel your career is to get away. When you avoid the pitfalls of the wrap up and create space for a great break, you’ll emerge in the new year truly refreshed and ready to accomplish all your goals.

By Tracy Brower, PhD, Contributor