My schedule is still fully booked through next week, and I'm planning on coaching and strategy sessions even before the New Year.
What I've discovered is that you can use the holidays as an excuse and say the following...
"It's the holidays, no one's really available, I'll just wait until the New Year."
"I just want to spend time with family, business can wait until the New Year."
Or you can view the holidays as the perfect time to reach people that might otherwise be too busy and say...
"The holidays are the perfect time for my added outreach, everyone is more relaxed and open to taking my calls."
"It's the right time of year to set myself up for a banner first and second quarter. The seeds I sow now will deliver fruit in 90 days."
Please don't misunderstand, I'm not suggesting that you not take time off. It's important to invest time with family and friends.
Give yourself a chance to recharge and reconnect.
At the same time, it can be much harder to get "back into the swing of things" when you turn off entirely.
Take a few days, then have on your schedule outreach to clients, perhaps call a couple of special vendors and discuss new projects coming up.
Enjoy some time exploring new resources both online and offline.
Leverage the time to reinvigorate and re-inspire your creative senses.
And, in the case of my coaching and my design work, I let everyone know that my rates are good through December 31, 2019 ONLY.
Expect an increase if you haven't climbed on board with a signed agreement and firm kick off date.
A trio of emails with that mention, followed by a postcard, and/or a phone call can be enough to shake the branches and deliver new business even before the year is up.
Are you going to use the holidays as an excuse or use it to generate new business?
It's your choice, tell me what you chose!
HUGE HUGS,
Melissa
PS. Giving myself this weekend to finish the unpacking, hanging artwork, creating my list of final items I want to add, and decorating for Christmas. Next week I'll be finalizing my calendar for year end and first quarter. EXCITING!
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