With Winter Conditions Ahead, Prepare, Don’t Panic
There’s a winding road up in the mountains, blanketed in snow and ice, with one of those bright yellow signs warning: "Winding Road Ahead." The kind of image that makes you instinctively grip the wheel a little tighter, ease off the gas, and pay close attention.
That’s what this time of year can feel like for small business owners.
November sits right between the urgency of fall and the intensity of the holiday season. It’s when you’re trying to wrap up the year well, while also preparing for what’s coming next. Maybe it’s a slower season for sales, or maybe it’s your busiest month yet. Either way, the road ahead feels full of curves.
But here's the good news: You don’t have to panic. You just have to prepare.
You Can’t Control the Season, But You Can Prepare for It
There are always going to be sharp turns and icy patches, in life and in business. But just like we take extra care on winter roads, your business can take extra care during unpredictable seasons.
Here are a few simple ways to navigate the winding road ahead:
1. Revisit (or Start) Your Continuity Plan
What happens if someone on your team gets sick or takes time off?
Do you have a go-to plan for delays in supply delivery or power outages?
Who can cover what, and how will you communicate changes to customers?
Even a short, scrappy plan is better than scrambling when you hit a curve.
2. Communicate With Your Team Early and Often
The end-of-year crunch can catch everyone off guard. Bring your team in early:
Talk about time off requests and backup coverage.
Set shared expectations for busy days.
Check in on how they’re doing, not just what they’re doing.
A little clarity now prevents a lot of stress later.
3. Adjust for the Forecast
If you know it’s going to be a slow month, don’t overstock or overschedule. If you expect a holiday surge, make space for flexibility. Look at:
Your order volume trends from last year.
Staff capacity and burnout levels.
What’s actually working right now, and what can be paused.
The road might curve, but you can steer with intention.
4. Build in Moments to Rest and Reflect
Yes, even now.
Can you carve out a few hours to review the year?
Can you plan a slow morning with coffee and no meetings?
Can you acknowledge your own effort, even if it’s just a sticky note that says, "You did a lot this year"?
Resilience isn't about pushing through non-stop. It’s about knowing when to shift into a slower gear.
5. Map Out Your First Few Steps Into the New Year
Forget the full five-year plan for a moment. What would feel good to have in place by early January?
A cleaned-up inbox?
A simple goal for Q1?
A project that gets you excited again?
Setting a gentle intention for the new year makes the curve ahead feel less sharp.
You may not know exactly what’s around the next bend, but you do know how to drive thoughtfully. That winding road sign doesn’t mean stop, it means stay alert, slow down, and trust that you’ve got what it takes to get through.
So take a deep breath, keep your eyes on the road, and don’t forget: even the twisty, icy roads can still lead somewhere beautiful.
You’re doing just fine.