That's a Wrap! Year-End Tasks for Small Law Firms
Anyone else having a serious case of senioritis, or vacationitis? Whatever you call it, you know what it is: that lax feeling you have right before a vacation or holiday office closure.
It's easy to just glide through these types of days, but instead, why don't you start wrapping up 2013 and getting a plan in place for 2014? There's no better time than now to do it because come January, you'll hit the ground running and all of your free time will be gone.
Here are the top three things you can do now to wrap up the year in a nice little package.
1. Get Your Tax Prep Done
As a business owner, one of the most important things you can start working on now is tax preparation. Whether it's sorting out receipts and invoices, paying into retirement accounts to defer income, making a charitable contribution, or simply setting deadlines for yourself, start now.
2. Do a Post-Mortem Review
Take some time to reflect on the past year and make a note of highlights and lowlights of the year. What areas need improvement? What does your firm do really well? Do you need more clients? More employees? Do you need to think about expanding your practice area? Or, do you need to focus more? Looking back on 2013 will help you set your goals for 2014.
3. Set Goals for 2014
Now that you've done a year-in-review it should be relatively easy to set your goals for 2014. Any areas that you could improve from 2013? Add them to your 2014 goals. But, don't just think of the end result, also think of the steps you'll have to take along the way to reach that goal.
You don't need to spend weeks reflecting and planning -- an afternoon can be all you need. Just be sure to devote some time to this now, as it may be the only window of opportunity you get -- until next year.
What do you do at the end of the year to wrap things up? Share them with us on Facebook at FindLaw for Legal Professionals.
Related Resources:
- A Year-End To-Do List for Small Firms, Solos (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)
- 5 Things to Do Before You Leave the Office (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)
- How to Start a Post-2008 Recession-Proof Law Firm (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)