Maya Angelou once remarked, "You can't really know where you are going until you know where you have been."
To me, this aptly encapsulates the significance of your past experiences and shapes your direction—which is why reflecting on the past year helps with identifying goals that were achieved, goals that were partly accomplished, and those that seriously need reconsidering and substantial improvement. And it’s already that time of the year.
2024 whizzed by, and if that was any indication of how things speed up, it’s best we head into 2025 fully prepared for an action-packed year. Use this blog as a prompt so you can ease into the new year…
Take a moment and reflect on…
What do you need to…
Start
Stop
Continue
In the year 2025, this will help you set a strong foundation for smarter decision-making and goal planning.
Take a moment to reflect on your priorities in 2025; do they align with your values? It might be worth taking a moment to pen down your values and how these translate into priorities and actions—this can be both personally and professionally. Here is an example:
Value: Growth
Priority: Professional and personal development
Action: Work with a productivity coach in an area of development
While taking stock of progress provides a sense of accomplishment, identifying areas of improvement or stagnation provides an invigorated sense of purpose.
Ending the year on a high, for many, translates to wrapping up outstanding tasks and projects, organizing digital filing, decluttering, and archiving—well, because a clear, organized workspace and mind minimize anxiety and foster productivity. You need to send out your thank-you notes and gifts.
But how productive can you be with the holidays just around the corner? The last thing you want to do is play catch-up at the end of the year.
Here is how you can harness the VA superpower to help close off the old year and start the new year organized and ready to roll.
ANALYZE:
Save time by asking your VA to…
Compile performance reports or client satisfaction metrics, etc.
Track website analytics, social media growth, or any other relevant KPIs
Summarize qualitative feedback from clients
With this consolidated report in hand, you can focus on making strategic decisions without being bogged down in gathering and organizing the details.
DECLUTTER:
Save time by asking your VA to…
Review your digital folders and categorize files by relevance and date
Archive older files that are no longer in use but need to be retained for records
Create a standardized naming convention to make file retrieval faster
Delete unnecessary emails and unsubscribe from irrelevant newsletters
Sort remaining emails into folders or labels based on topics/clients
Set up filters for automating future email categorization to keep your inbox tidy
Ensure Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive are up-to-date and relevant
Consolidate duplicates and remove redundant or obsolete files – gain more space
OPTIMIZE:
Save time by asking your VA to…
Compile a list of all tools, apps, and platforms currently in use
Check for updates or newer versions that offer improved functionality or better integration
Identify underused or redundant tools that can be eliminated to save costs
Cancel subscriptions to tools that no longer serve a purpose
PREPARE:
Save time by asking your VA to…
Investigate emerging trends, tools, or strategies in your industry or area of focus
Ask for a report summarizing key findings, including potential opportunities or threats
Request a review of what your competitors are planning or focusing on, based on publicly available information.
ORGANIZE:
Have your VA draft a calendar that outlines key deadlines, milestones, and events for Q1
Include personal commitments and downtime to maintain a balanced schedule
Delegate the creation of detailed project plans – including organized breakdown of tasks, timelines, and responsible parties
Ask your VA to identify and set up tools that support effective planning (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Notion)
Request pre-built templates for common tasks, like meeting agendas or quarterly reviews
As the year draws to an end, use the above prompts to help you delegate and prepare for all things 2025. Your VA can do the heavy lifting when it comes to non-billable organizational and information-gathering tasks which are essential for the smooth flow of your business and will free up time for you to focus on strategy and also enjoy the holidays – stress-free.
Remember to delegate intentionally so you can focus on strategic reflections and new beginnings.
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Written by Tatum De Souza
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