As we approach the end of December, it’s natural to start thinking about how to kick off the new year with focus and momentum. Whether it’s preparing for a sales kickoff, rallying your team for January, or setting the stage for personal goals, one truth stands out: business is often more predictable than we give it credit for.
The Power of Predictability
No matter your industry—be it retail, manufacturing, or professional services—there are recurring cycles and milestones that shape your work. Month-end reports, quarterly deadlines, project launches, and seasonal peaks are all predictable moments that require focused energy and resources.
Yet, how often do we allow these moments to catch us off guard, even though they’re clearly marked on the calendar? By acknowledging this predictability, you can take control and approach these periods with confidence and preparation.
Plan Your Energy, Not Just Your Tasks
How often do you take the time to plan your energy? As high-performing professionals, I’m sure you meticulously map out your time and tasks to maximise efficiency and ensure nothing is overlooked. But here’s the question: how often do you plan your energy to successfully achieve those tasks?
Planning your energy—not just your to-dos—is the key to thriving during high-demand moments this year. Let’s dive into how you can align your energy with your goals for sustainable success.
Map Your Energy for the Weeks Ahead
Here’s a simple yet powerful strategy: map out your energy needs for the next 4, 6, or even 12 weeks based on the predictable demands of your role or business. Consider:
- When will your workload peak? Identify specific times when your energy and focus will be most needed, such as product launches, campaigns, or key presentations.
- What are the recurring deadlines? Think about regular touchpoints like month-end reporting or team check-ins.
- What can you anticipate? While some challenges are unexpected, many demands can be foreseen and planned for.
Why This Matters
Preparing for predictable moments isn’t just about avoiding surprises; it’s also key to:
- Building resilience: Knowing when high-energy periods are coming allows you to conserve and recharge beforehand.
- Optimising resources: Align your time, energy, and team efforts with the most critical milestones.
- Enhancing performance: When you’re prepared, you’re more likely to tackle challenges effectively and with less stress.
Recovery is just as important as preparation and performance—it’s the phase where you recharge, rebuild, and regain balance. Don’t overlook the time after a big event to intentionally pause and recover before diving into your next challenge. This is the moment to step back, rest, and allow your mind and body to restore their reserves. Whether it’s ‘slivers of recovery‘ during your day or deliberate rest over a weekend, prioritising recovery ensures sustainable high performance.
Predict, Prepare, Perform, Recover
This principle forms part of my simple four-step Cadence Approach:
- PREDICT when the big events are in your life by asking ‘when are your Wimbledon’s?’
- PREPARE by small changes that have a big impact by ‘building your bulletproof’
- PERFORM when you need to and ‘respect your red flags’ for good health and vitality
- RECOVER via slivers of recovery and deliberate rest because ‘backing off beats burnout’
Integrating recovery into your energy plan isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for maintaining long-term resilience and success.
Start the Year Strong
Take time before the year ends to sit down with your calendar and map out these predictable events. Once you’ve identified them, think about how you can prepare:
- Block time for rest and recovery in the weeks leading up to high-demand periods.
- Communicate upcoming priorities with your team to align efforts.
- Focus on small habits that boost energy and focus, like staying hydrated, getting quality sleep, and prioritising movement.
Get Ready for Predictable Success
Business is more predictable than it can sometimes seem, and with a little planning, you can harness this predictability to your advantage. By gearing up for key moments and managing your energy strategically, you’ll not only navigate challenges more effectively but also set yourself and your team up for long-term success.
Here’s to a productive and energised start to the new year!
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