Bid Farewell to 2024 with a Bang
I really enjoy the last few months of the year because there are holidays in October, November, and December usually celebrated with upbeat festivities and fun.
To "end the year with a bang" presents an opportunity to finish the year with a burst of excitement, accomplishments, or celebration. You can finally complete important tasks or achieve goals. You could host a fun social event to mark the end of the year and enjoy smiles, laughter, good food, upbeat music, and dancing. An end of the year party “like it’s 1999” is escape-from-reality fun and sets positive expectation for a bright, happy, and prosperous new year. Go out on a high note!
Let’s think about different ways to end this year; it doesn’t matter how big or small.
Meeting a big goal: Finishing My Novel
My big bang goal for 2025 was completing my novel It Starts With A Promise: A Novel that is now available on Amazon. (Yay, it’s about time!) The back story: I intended to have this book completed by July. It took longer than I expected. It was a combination of paralysis and perfectionism that kept me from finalizing the book on time. It’s an excuse and a real reason.
Some of you may be able to relate to being a perfectionist. The desire to be perfect is sometimes hard to overcome. You want something to be “just right” and accurately reflect your vision, so you continue to work on your project. Days, weeks, and months can go by and you’re still working on that project.
I’ve learned that perfectionism can be a major deterrent to completion and success. One of my goals for next year is to make a conscientious effort to not let perfectionism interfere with my goals.
I’m thrilled that I have completed It Starts With A Promise: A Novel. It’s book one of a three book series called The Ripple Effect Trilogy. The next two books in the series are It Continues With a Secret: A Novel and It Ends With A Revelation: A Novel. I’m working on the second book and plan to have it available in May 2025 and the third one in October 2025. I plan to meet my goals because I believe in continuously striving for self-improvement, and I love the joyful feeling of completion and seeing my books available to readers.
Bang out professional goals
The clock may be ticking before the year ends, yet you can still cross out some professional goals. Reflect on your accomplishments throughout the year and highlight key successes. Complete outstanding projects, clear your inbox, and address any pending tasks.
Start planning, establishing, and settings clear goals for next year which will help you jump start the new year.
If you work in a corporate environment, this is the perfect time to acknowledge team members' contributions and achievements with a celebratory event or highlight recognition of services. You can also send clients a holiday note of appreciation and include a special gift.
Begin 2025 with goals
Prepare for the new year by taking the time for celebration and reflection. Why not take some time to reflect on personal milestones, lessons, and future goals? Think about steps and actions you can take to achieve your goals. Maybe take a short class, read a book, or focus on self-improvement.
This may also be a great time to try something new and different. Consider trying a new hobby or experiencing something outside your comfort zone. Consider volunteering for a cause, such as giving food away through a community program or supporting an organization with Christmas donations.
Count down to 2025
As the year winds down, take the time to celebrate. Don't wait until the last minute to plan your end-of-year celebrations or activities so that you can end 2024 prepared, organized, and ready.
You may want a simple celebration watching the New Year’s countdown, or host a party with friends and family, go on vacation, or attend a concert.
Celebrate in a way that makes you comfortable. Get ready for the new year with positive expectations. Acknowledge your achievements in 2024 and look forward to 2025 with a high dose of optimism. Welcome 2025 with a vision of hope, love, and joy.
Robin Allen is a multi-published author of women’s fiction, romance and YA novels: It Starts With A Promise: A Novel; It’s Complicated: A Novel; The Best Thing Yet; If I Were Your Woman; Breeze and The Starters: Unexpected. As a freelance writer, she have written 40+ articles for national publications, including Hope magazine, Digital Flourish, Today’s Black Woman, Atlanta Woman, Black Elegance and Diversity Careers. www.robinallenbooks.com