5 Ways To Finish The Year Strong

As 2014 comes to an end, it becomes increasingly tempting to lose focus and put your efforts towards finishing the year on cruise control. However, it is moments like this that can make or break your chance of successfully completing your goals for the year. Listed below are five things you can do to make sure you stay on track to finish the year strong:

1. Create a Christmas budget and stick to it. Don't fall victim to the blue light special! Before you head out to the stores, set your spending limit and make your shopping list. Identify who you plan to get gifts for (even yourself), and how much you want to spend on them. Total up the amount, and make sure it doesn't exceed your spending limit. If it does, refine your per-person limit. Once you get it within range, head out to conquer the crowds!

While shopping, be sure to stay within your per-person limits. If you do happen to go slightly overboard on someone, make adjustments on your remaining per-person limits to compensate your overage. No increases allowed!

2. It's all about controlling your portions. Tis the season to indulge! Along with all of the gatherings and festivities comes food. Lots of it. When attending gatherings, be aware of your portions and how often you find yourself indulging. One trick you can try is drinking a glass of water or eating a light meal before you head out, that way you won't have as big of an appetite when you get to your destination.

3. Get your network on! This is the time of the year that companies and organizations let their hair down and celebrate their accomplishments and each other. If you are looking for your next job or business opportunity, then I would strongly suggest that you accept a few of those invitations to join the celebration. It's a great way to meet new people and learn about opportunities on the horizon. According to a report from ABC News, 80 percent of today's jobs are landed through networking. So dust off those dancing shoes, grab some business cards, and go make some new friends!

4. Get the hard stuff done. Remember that one item on your to-do list that you have been dreading to do? Yes, that one. It's time to get it done. Use this time as motivation to get that task done before the year ends, so that you can start the new year with a clean slate.

5. Take charge of the year ahead. Plan, plan, and plan some more. We all have things we want to accomplish in the upcoming year. Why not give it a deadline? Write down your list of goals that you wish to accomplish in 2015. Next to each goal, write the date that you want to achieve it. Then, break each goal into doable tasks that can be accomplished within the timeframe preceding the deadline. For example, if your goal is to write a 150-page book by July 2015, you could break that down to seven monthly tasks of completing about 21 pages beginning in January, or 28 weekly tasks of 5 1/2 pages.

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