The end is near

Where did 2025 go?

Did I accomplish what I needed?

What's left to do?

Am I prepared for 2026?

Do I even have time to think about this stuff? I'm too busy.

Sounds like the conversation you're having in your head, too? Between closing deals, tying up loose ends, managing holiday craziness and juggling inboxes — it's easy to let things spiral into chaos. But these last few weeks of 2025 are not just busy — they're an opportunity. As Korn Ferry points out, finishing strong can make the difference in your performance review, your bonus and set the tone for 2026.

If you want to take advantage of that opportunity — not just survive the finish line, but sprint across it — here's how to tighten up, refocus and really show what you're made of.

Simplify and Clarify What Matters: Take a moment to step back. Review your goals, your outstanding commitments and your deadlines. Identify the one or two things that really move the needle — the actions that will impact results the most. Then declutter everything else. Korn Ferry calls this "declutter" — strip away noise so you can zero in on what truly matters. That might mean prioritizing high-value clients, renewing stalled deals or finishing proposals that will close early next quarter. Let go of "busy work" that doesn't create value.

Invest in "Boss Time:" For many of us, the last months of the year bring more demands, more follow-ups or more moving parts. Korn Ferry suggests scheduling time with your manager or key stakeholders to align priorities for the next year.

In a sales context, this could mean a short call or meeting to:

Recap what you've accomplished so far

Outline where you want to go next quarter

Make sure you're aligned with what leadership expects

Clear out remote work distractions: if you can meet in person, good. But if not, block time for a thoughtful call. That kind of clarity can make your January hit the ground running.

Reflect, Learn and Plan for 2026: Use the final weeks to look back at what worked — and what didn't — over the past 11+ months. What closed? What stalled? Why? What changed along the way? Turn those reflections into three clear actions for next year so you can get a quick start in January. That might be sharpening your outreach process, refining your messaging or doubling down on your highest potential categories and clients. Treat these reflections not as a "year-end review," but as the launch pad for next year's momentum.

Take Care of Yourself, Too: It's easy to burn the candle at both ends in December. Do not ignore your own well-being; some light activity or movement is better than nothing. Your work depends on energy, clarity and stamina. Block off time for a walk, a workout or even a mental reset. A clear mind closes deals better than a drained one.

Here's the bottom line: This end-of-year push doesn't have to be about chaos, stress and fire drills. It can be about clarity, focus, intention and finishing strong. If you simplify what matters, align with leadership, reflect and plan, appreciate the people around you and still take care of yourself, this finish line becomes less of a scramble and more of a launch pad.

Run that sprint intentionally. Because finishing 2025 strong isn't luck. It's a strategy.

Think Big, Make Big Things Happen!

Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development. You can reach him at Jeff.Schmidt@rab.com. You can all so connect with him on X and LinkedIn.