Getting Ready for the New Year when you’re Self-Employed
2019 seems to have gone past faster than I can imagine.
It’s been a year of ups and downs and as every year so far working on Life in a Break Down has been so very different.
I am excited that TEVA are keeping me on for another year and I can’t wait to see what opportunities 2020 brings to me.
I often take some time off between Christmas and the New Year, allow myself some time to relax and unwind and spend time with family.
This year I’m not sure what I’m going to do. My eyesight still has me unable to see somedays. So I may use it as a time to get a headstart.
If like me you are self-employed or even just work from home. Here are some ideas to get ready for the new year.
Get On Top of Your Taxes.
January 31st is when your 2018-2019 tax return is due to HMRC. As well as any tax owned and payments on account.
Many people will have done this already. However, if you haven’t then spending the lull between Christmas and New Year sorting your return out is a good idea.
Check Payments.
If your self employed you are bound to know how hard it can be at times to get paid.
So set some time aside to go through and follow up any outstanding and late payments, making a note of anything so you can keep on top of them in the coming weeks.
Tidy Your Workspace.
Spend some time tidying up the area you work in. Personally I find December always leaves it a complete mess.
Carefully pack away anything which you need to keep, shred important documents you no longer need and get rid of stationery which doesn’t work for you anymore.
You could even look to upgrade to a new modern office desk if you have the room.
Set up a Plan.
There are often periods where you will find you are busy and periods where you are quiet.
Try and make a note of these, this will allow you to help plan out your finances for the coming year.
You could also think about how you are planning to network, get your business out there and find new clients.
Reflect on the Year.
I am not one for New Year’s resolutions, however, reflecting over the year gone by is a good idea.
Think about what worked and what didn’t. If there are things that need improving, how can you do this? Are you paying for things you no longer need? Do you have ideas and goals you would like to fulfil? How could you reach these in 2020?
Of course, these are just some of the things you could do to help yourself get ready for 2020 when you are self-employed.
So I would love to hear what you do to get ready for the year ahead when it comes to your business?
This is a collaborative post.
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Some great tips on here for self employed, keeping on top of everything, reviewing the previous year and planning is so important to success 🙂
Definitely it is a nice time to sit and think about everything that you have accomplished as well over the past 12 months.
I work from home so can really relate.some great tips here.
It is so hard sometimes isn’t it?
I’m thinking about becoming self employed so thanks for all the great tips
Good luck! It is so worth it – but can be hard work.
i am self employed and it is mostly awesome but can be hard too. thanks for this!
It does have it’s hard moments, doesn’t it? Sometimes I wish I wasn’t lol.
The New Year is the time when hubby and I sit down and appraise what went well and what not so well in our business over the previous year. It’s our strategic planning time. We check our costs and how this will affect future prices. As you say, the lull between Christmas and New Year is an ideal time to do this.
Good luck it sounds like you have a great time set aside to see where you are and where you want to go.
Thanks for sharing all of this helpful information.
Your welcome I am glad it is helpful.
My husband is self-employed and I am going to pass this article to him. It is hard to know that sometimes your paycheck it not there every so often, for sure we always have to plan ahead
It is so hard sometimes isn’t it? I struggle at times with everything about it.
I’m looking forward to winding down between Christmas and New Year. I feel I need the break before hitting 2020 running!
I hope you enjoy the downtime and then have an amazing 2020 ahead of you.
These are wonderful business-savy tips for the self-employed. This time of year seems to be busy for everyone and it’s great to have a post like this for some advice.
I hope it helps some people start 2020 on the right track.
I’m going to take some time out and have a proper break but I do want to make a head start on my posts for the new year and have a plan in place x
I think taking some time out can really help can’t it, I think we all need a break and to spend time with family.
Some really great tips here for starting the new year with a clear fresh start 🙂
It is nice to start it with a clean slate, isn’t it?
These are good tips to get on top of things in the new year! Even if you do one or two of these at a time there is so much you can get through!
It is amazing how quickly you can get through jobs when you put your mind to it.
great tips for getting ready for new year, hope you have a great new year
Thank you so much – I hope you do as well!
These are really helpful tips. I am going away for a couple of days but I am planning to do a few of these when back.
I hope you have an amazing time away!
At this time of year when things slow down a bit, it’s a great time to plan your business activities for the new year. It’s also a great time to get tax preparation underway so you are ready in the new year!
It is nice to try and work it all out, isn’t it? Get a plan ready for the 12 months ahead.
I’m actually thinking of doing my tax return today! I’ve left it so late this year and so eager to get it ticked off my to-do list.
Ohh good luck! I hope it all goes well for you.
Careful planning is a great way to start a new year. My husband and I always set a side a day or two to check our financial health. We also make sure that all payables are attended to before the New Year so we don’t go into the first few days of January doing nothing but paying off bills.
That sounds like a great thing to do every year!
I have to try and get on top of my taxes, always my least favourite thing to do as a blogger!
Hands up I HATE it – I really struggle with thinking about money lol.
I have been self-employed for over 15 years now and I love it. There are challenging times for sure but I find that if I just not procrastinate too much (lol) and be more resourceful, I find a good amount of work. Great tips here, btw.
Oh wow I bet you have some amazing tips under your belt!
I’m 100% with you on the self reflection. Not only is it inspiring our future by allowing ourselves to learn from the year’s less-than-perfect moments but also heartwarming to look back over the memories & successes made. Bring on 2020!
It can be hard at times but it definitely helps us take a step in the right direction at times.
Thanks for sharing this informative article.
I think that it is difficult being self-employed in some ways but an excellent opportunity to follow your dreams in another way!
Yes it really can be hard at times, definitely nice though in other ways.