Your December Action Plan: 8 tasks to close 2025 with clarity
Finish the year with insight, focus, and momentum
December is more than just wrapping up the year. It’s a chance to learn from what happened, understand your business health, and set yourself up for profitable growth in 2026. This checklist blends the principles of the Pumpkin Plan and Profit First, giving you a structured way to review, assess, and prepare.
Financial tasks: know where your money went and where it should go
Reconcile all accounts
Review every bank and credit account for accuracy. Look for missing transactions, double charges, or discrepancies. Reconciliation ensures you know exactly where your money is and prepares you for year-end reporting.Calculate actual profit vs. target
Use your Profit First allocations to compare your planned profit against what was actually earned. Understanding the difference helps you spot trends, uncover hidden inefficiencies, and plan better for 2026.Distribute profit
If you haven’t already allocated your Profit First profit, now is the time. Setting aside profit reinforces healthy business habits and rewards your success.Review tax position
Meet with your accountant to estimate your tax liability. Identifying potential issues now reduces surprises and gives you time to make strategic moves, like deductions or adjustments.
Client tasks: focus on the relationships that matter most
Send thank-you notes to your top 20% of clients
Gratitude strengthens relationships. Your top clients drive most of your revenue and profit, so showing appreciation increases retention and loyalty.Conduct 2–3 wish list interviews
Ask your best clients what they value, what frustrates them, and what would make their experience even better. Their insights can shape your services and help identify new growth opportunities.Identify clients to transition out in Q1 2026
Not all clients fit your ideal profile. Use the Top Client Assessment to decide who to keep, nurture, or release. Letting go of non-ideal clients frees time, energy, and resources for the clients who matter most.
Strategic tasks: learn, adjust, and plan for growth
Complete your benchmark assessment
Compare your 2025 performance against your goals. Metrics like revenue, profit, and client satisfaction reveal what’s working and what isn’t.Document lessons learned
Reflect on successes and missteps. Understanding why something worked or failed prevents repeating mistakes and informs smarter decisions.Review your immutable laws
Did you stick to the principles that guide your business? Reassessing these ensures you stay aligned with your mission and vision.Update your one page prosperity plan
Use the insights from your year-end review to refine your 2026 goals, priorities, and action steps. This becomes your roadmap for growth, clarity, and focus.
Personal tasks: protect your energy
Schedule time off in January
A true unplugged vacation allows you to rest, reset, and return with focus. Time away is an investment in your clarity and decision-making for the year ahead.Reflect on your vision story
Are your actions moving you closer to your long-term goals? Take time to realign your personal and professional vision with the year ahead.
Actionable takeaway
Print this checklist and keep it visible
Assign deadlines to each task before December 31
Track your progress and celebrate completed items
Taking these steps helps you close 2025 with clarity, learn from the year’s lessons, and enter 2026 focused on profitable growth and your “giant pumpkins.”
Take the next step
Assess your business health and understand where to focus in 2026: