For a healthy, prosperous 2016 business year, your final task for 2015 is to relax.
The other day, I was at a Christmas party where we were playing holiday trivia. One of the questions turned to A Christmas Carol. You know, the story by Charles Dickens about the greedy old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who is shown the spirit of Christmas by the family of his impoverished employee, Bob Cratchit.
The question was “What was Bob Cratchit’s job, working for Mr. Scrooge?”
I haven’t read the Dickens story in forever, but I have watched the Disney holiday special version–the one starring Mickey Mouse–about a thousand times. I was reviewing it in my head, and suddenly it hit me…
Bob Cratchit was an accountant!
Don't Become Your Own Ebenezer Scrooge
Remembering this detail got my team the trivia point, but it really got me thinking later. If you remember, Bob Cratchit was basically Scrooge’s slave; he had to beg for half a day off to spend Christmas with his family.
And the thing is, anybody who’s in charge of “the books”–whether it’s a career accountant or a business owner like you who does their own books–can often find themselves unable to leave the job behind at this time of year.
You hear the Christmas music drifting down the hall, smell the apple cider simmering, friends and family are calling you to join the party…and you think “Just one more thing. I want to make sure that [fill in the blank] is all set for the new year.”
The Best Thing You Can Do for Your 2016 Business Year
It’s true–the end of the year means a lot for any business: possible increase in sales, preparing to file taxes, creating financial plans for the new year.
For us at The Bottom Line, it’s also a time to encourage our clients to catch up their accounting and make important tax decisions prior to 12/31 so that they can benefit if purchases or donations need to be made.
But amid all that busy-ness, it’s vital that we…and you…make time to relax and recharge.
We understand how unnatural it feels, when there’s so much more to do, to slow down and do nothing.
But guys? It’s vital to the health of your business…and to your own personal life…that you take a little time to do nothing.
The Bottom Line
For our entire team, Christmas is a very special time to enjoy life, family, and friends, and the sense of possibility and wonder that comes with the season. That’s what the holiday is all about–connection with people you love, reflection on what makes your life good, and putting your generosity into overdrive.
You’ve hustled hard all year long, so you’ve earned this downtime to rest and recharge. No matter what your faith is or how you celebrate, it’s a special time of year. So enjoy it to the best of your ability by taking the time to do nothing.
