We’re making a list, we’re checking it twice…
It is hard to believe that the holidays are already upon us. This year has flown by for Missoula Bookkeeper and you are probably feeling the same. As we head into the end of the year, it is a time to plan for your business but also to connect with family and friends in meaningful ways.
It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, putting our heads down to get through the craziness, but we want to encourage you to find ways to be present and intentional with your time for the next 6 weeks. To help you do that, we are bringing you a mix of practical tips and strategies for managing your holiday work/life balance, along with gift lists from some of our favorite clients to show our local small businesses some love.
Here are some of the ways we are setting ourselves up for a restful and happy holiday season:
Looking ahead to plan: January is our craziest month of the year. We are already assessing client files and making checklists so we can get ahead of the game and make everything run smoothly. We are also looking at internal systems to tighten things up, streamline processes and document things for the future.
Tax-time prep: This year, I am planning to make the leap to an S-Corp tax filing and so I need to get my ducks in a row now to make that smooth. I am also planning out end of year bonuses for my team and other expenses that will help me lower my taxable income and take care of the amazing people that help this business thrive.
Preemptive out-of-office: Because January can be so insane around here, we have been very intentional about laying low between Christmas and New Years and spending time with family and friends. This means that we start communicating with clients in early December about that time out. We will be sending a dedicated email, activating our “out of office” message, and planning our workflow for the month to make it possible to get the bulk of things done earlier in the month.
Assessing client load: For the first time since I started the business, we have maxed out our client load. We closed out our new client intake process earlier this month. In addition, we are assessing current clients. For us, this means looking at what work we really enjoy, who is pleasant and easy to work with, what would we like to make space to do more of? This will mean some changes to our client load and how we work with current clients over the upcoming months. We have already identified clients that were not the best fit and found options for them that will meet their needs and allow us more time to spend with the clients that are really looking for our high-level service. We are also looking at other business-service related needs that our current clients have and how we can help meet those needs or partner with people who can.
As you go into this holiday week, please take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the time with your people. Keep your eyes peeled for our fantastic gift guide posts on Facebook and Instagram, featuring many of our clients and favorite local businesses. I also hope that you take time to be intentional about planning your year end and heading into 2023 with a sense of clarity and peace!
Fun Christmas facts…
Hallmark holiday movies only take 2 weeks to film
“Jingle Bells” was the first song played in space
If you gave all the gifts listed in the "Twelve Days of Christmas," it would equal 364 presents
Americans expect to spend around $837 on Christmas gifts this year
Over a billion and a half Christmas cards are sent each year in the U.S.
We love small businesses! This holiday season, whether you are shopping for a gift or for yourself, please support your local dreamer and SHOP SMALL AND LOCAL!
