January 1 is an arbitrary date. We could easily be decisive, make a change, and create a fresh start any day we choose. That said, there is a certain magic in creating new goals at the beginning of the year—on a crisp, clean calendar page. There is a special feeling of newness when I put my hands on the first client of a new year. I like to embrace that newness, but I also know there will be no magical renewal or positive change unless I plan well in advance. So, each year—in the late fall before the holidays hit hard—I try to spend a little time reflecting on the last year and considering changes for the coming new year. To do this, I find it helpful to separate my thinking into the three areas of my business: the physical, the mental, and the financial. Then, I can clean up each space in a way that keeps me motivated and energized.

Physical Space

Completing a physical task with tangible, visible results can be really motivating, so I like to start with cleaning or organizing an area of my office. Even when stuff is closed away in a drawer or a cabinet, unconsciously and subconsciously you know it is there. If it is still taking up space in your drawer, it is taking up space in your brain.

Cleaning the spaces you use frequently can feel refreshing and motivating, but I am not suggesting you do a major renewal project of your whole space. Instead, resist the urge to make this a multiday project, and instead plan a project you can accomplish in a few hours or less. Pick one area—one well-defined task that has a beginning and an end. It could be deep cleaning your massage room or office bathroom. Or you could clean out and purge the storage closet that’s gotten out of hand.

Sometimes, I pick an item—for example, papers. I will clean out all the papers that have accumulated in various drawers and surfaces. I go through the whole space and make a big pile of books, magazines, forms, receipts—anything paper. I recycle or donate any magazines and books I no longer use, and then I scan and upload forms, documents, or receipts I should save. Finally, I either file or shred the originals.

Mental Space

What has your work/life balance been like? (OK, “balance” was a bit of a joke through this pandemic—especially if you have kids or are otherwise a caregiver. But it is worth considering for the future.) Whatever you can do to make your business just a bit easier and happier to run is a big victory.

Maybe there were occasions you wished you could have been with your family and friends, but you were working. Or maybe the virtual book club you really want to join is only on Thursday nights, but you have been working Thursday nights since the beginning of your career. If an adjustment to your work schedule would allow you to do something personally satisfying, try to change your schedule to allow for that.

Mental space also includes all the tasks and information we carry around in our brains all day. Consider how you can unload some of that burden. It could mean delegating the weekly office cleaning. It could be as small as giving yourself a dedicated hour at the beginning of every work week to update your to-do list and plan for the week so you can begin with a sense of calm instead of frenzy. You could add another block of time at the end of the week to wrap up any incomplete tasks. Then, you can take a few days off without work tasks rattling around in your brain.

Financial Space

Run your numbers and take note of how you feel about your income and expenses for the year. It’s important to know how much money you made, how much you spent running your business, and how much money you took home.

If all things money-related bring you stress, maybe a great goal for the next year is “Learn how to handle my business finances.” Find a great resource (we suggest our “Mind Your Money” webinar at abmp.com/learn/course/mind-your-money) and set aside blocks of time in your schedule to learn and implement a system for handling your money.

If you feel good about what you earned and how you spent your income, think on some plans for the next year. Are there any new goals you would like to save for, or is everything running smoothly?

If you wish you had more sick pay or vacation pay on hand, now is a good time to set up a weekly automatic withdrawal from your checking into a savings account just for that purpose. Also, if you do not feel great about your earnings for the year, now is a great time to brainstorm a few ideas to increase your income for the next year and set aside some time in your 2022 calendar to make that happen.

Enjoy the Space

You deserve to have a business that serves you well— physically, mentally, and financially. Some thoughtful effort at year-end can bring so much space to love your work in the next year.