Wrapping Up The Year: 4 Tips to Ending on a High Note

As the end of the year approaches, it’s essential to reflect on the progress made and tie up loose ends before entering the new year. Wrapping up the year with intention not only ensures a smooth transition into 2024 but also sets the stage for a productive start to the new year. Below are tips on wrapping up the year on a high note, leaving you with a sense of accomplishment and preparedness for what music lies ahead.

I’m a firm believer in taking the time to reflect, not just on your accomplishments, but also on lessons you’ve learned. To start, try reflecting on these two very simple questions:

• What are some things that you feel you did well?
• What are some things that I can improve upon for next year?

The questions are set up so you can reflect on your year without excessive judgment and negativity. We want to avoid negative self-talk or rumination. Instead, take a deep breath, ask yourself these questions, and write down your answers. Or, if you have a team, have everyone answer these questions for themselves, and then answer them for others to see how other people perceive what you’ve done.

As we’re already at the end of December, it’s important to remember that the music industry, just like other industries, shuts off during the holidays. That means assessing what tasks you need to complete before the year is over and ensuring you’re prioritizing them. This also means keeping in mind emails that you shouldn’t send out, such as cold emails/pitches.

Also, keep in mind that we lose about 1-2 weeks of work time due to the holidays. If you have any releases or announcements scheduled for January and February, consider prioritizing the tasks involving those campaigns before the year is over.

For extra points, holiday well wishes (or even gifts) are always a nice touch to send out to your team such as your attorney, release partners, manager, agent, etc. Let them know how you appreciate working with them! A little always goes a long way.

This is especially for those of you who like to have numerous tabs open on your desktop!

Studies have shown that a cluttered workspace can hinder productivity and make it difficult to start the new year on the right foot. Take the time to declutter your physical and digital workspace, organize files, and archive or delete unnecessary documents. This will help you start the new year with a clean slate and you’ll feel refreshed returning to your work post-holidays.

Commit to NOT working! This means as hard as it is for many people I know, don’t check emails or Slack messages and taking time away from your computer and phones. Most importantly, enjoy well-deserved time off to recharge and rejuvenate. Use your time off to relax and spend quality time with loved ones.

But what about social media? Now is the time to decide your social media strategy with your team (or with yourself) in advance of the holidays so you can determine how much time you want to commit to being active or inactive. Maybe you’ll commit to only 1 or 2 posts over the holiday break. Maybe you won’t post at all and decide to resurface after the new year.

Wrapping up the year is a crucial step in setting yourself up for success in the year ahead. By reflecting on achievements, closing out pending tasks, decluttering, and taking time off, you will succeed in ending on a high note and be able to give all your attention to family and friends during this downtime. Embrace this opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments, learn from the challenges faced, and set new goals for the future. Remember, a well-rounded wrap-up will ensure a smooth transition into the upcoming year, setting the stage for a productive and successful musical journey.

– Melissa Garcia