Finish Strong to Start Strong: Simple Routines to Finish Strong and Stay Focused

With just over two weeks left in the year, the fresh feeling of January is just around the corner and after pushing through a busy Q4, the anticipation of a new start feels like a deep exhale.

But the hard reality for many new managers? If you haven’t put plans in place for how to manage and plan for the year ahead, you will inevitably start the year feeling like you are already behind.

Luckily, there is still time to do the work to get ahead.

Because the managers who start strong in Q1 aren’t necessarily working harder, they’re working smarter by leveraging routines they implemented in Q4 that keep them focused when chaos hits.

You don’t need a complex productivity or project management system. You only need two simple, sustainable routines that are easy to implement and will save you hours of confusion and rework in the months ahead.

Routine 1: The Weekly Planning Ritual

This routine is where you set aside a consistent time block at the start of each week to answer three questions:

1. What are my top 3 priorities this week?

2. What’s on my team’s plate that might need my support?

3. What meetings or decisions can’t be delayed?

Why it matters:

Implementing and protecting this routine will help you filter out what deserves your time vs what can wait.

Without this, you will likely be reactive all week, responding to whatever’s loudest instead of what’s most important.

How to implement:

• Block 15 minutes every Monday morning before your first meeting and before everyone else logs on (to help minimize distractions).

• Use a simple template to plan for the week:

  • My top 3 priorities

  • Where my team needs support

  • Key meetings

• To create accountability and clarity for your team, share your top 3 in your weekly meeting or a Slack message

• TIP:

  • If something isn’t in your top 3 and it’s not urgent, put it on next week’s list. This forces you to focus instead of trying to do everything at once.

  • It can be easy to feel overwhelmed so if your list gets too long in any of the three areas of focus, consider what can be deprioritized or moved to the following week.

Now, when someone asks for “just 30 minutes” to discuss a new idea, you can quickly assess: Does this support one of my top 3? Does my team need this from me this week? If not, it waits.

Routine 2: Team Check-ins

Setting up a predictable cadence of touchpoints will help keep work moving AND keep you informed without you having to chase updates or wonder what’s happening. Three touchpoints to prioritize now and as you move into next year:

• Weekly team meeting (30-60 min):

  • This is where you can cover what’s happening this week, understand what needs support, share quick wins, or discuss any potential challenges or roadblocks

    • Host these the same day, same time every week (non-negotiable), aim for having this early in the week (Monday) so you can align on priorities and understand where support may be needed.

    • Use a simple agenda that includes: Updates, blockers, priorities for the week

    • Try to keep it tight at 30 minutes max, if you consistently go over time, consider extending as needed or ending early when possible.

    • Even if you don’t have big news, use it to check in and create space for questions

• Individual 1:1s (30 min each):

  • These meetings are a great opportunity where each individual can provide project/progress updates and where you can provide coaching or help work through specific obstacles

    • Schedule these as recurring meetings for the next 6 months out (don’t wait to book week by week)

    • Protect this time. It’s not optional and shouldn’t be the first thing you cancel when things get busy

    • Use a simple structure: What’s top of mind for them / Progress on key work / Where they’re stuck or need support

    • Let them drive the agenda, but come prepared with your own questions too

    • Minimize distractions: put away your phone, silence notifications, close your laptop

• Daily stand-up meeting (10 -15 min):

  • If needed, adding in a quick daily stand-up meeting can allow you check in on specific projects or updates and provide immediate support to your team where needed.

Why it matters:

This rhythm creates structure so you don’t have to guess when to check in, and your team knows when they’ll have your attention or when they can anticipate updates from you.

Bringing It All Together

These two routines work together:

• Your weekly planning ritual keeps YOU focused on what matters most

• Your check-in rhythm keeps your TEAM aligned and moving forward

Remember: You don’t need perfect plans or flawless execution. You just need to consistently implement simple routines.

The managers who thrive in Q1 aren’t the ones who are scrambling or doing everything, they’re the ones who know what to focus on and have predictable touchpoints to keep their team moving forward together.

Your Action Step for This Week

Review your calendar and pick ONE of these routines to implement:

1. Set up your Monday planning ritual. Block 15 minutes this Monday and answer the three questions. Share your top 3 with your team.

2. Schedule your check-ins for the full quarter. Open your calendar right now and block weekly team meetings, all 1:1s. Review the timing to ensure there are no conflicts and adjust timing as needed.

Start with one. Get it working. Then add the other.

Which routine are you starting with? What other routines have you used to help stay on track?

Let me know in the comments!