We’re fast approaching the time of year where it can like you’re running a marathon on a tightrope. Customers need attention. Promotions are queued up to be launched (or designed). Your inventory is giving you nightmares and you have huge goals for the end of the year. And you’re supposed to stay cheerful, strategic, and somehow well-rested through it all. But the problem isn’t your big aspirations for 2026, nor does the problem lie in trying to solve the things you can’t control. It’s your habits. James Clear’s Atomic Habits reminds us that meaningful results come from the small, repeatable choices we make every day. During the holidays, those tiny decisions are the difference between burnout and breakthrough. When you build systems that work even when you’re tired, distracted, or knee-deep in ribbon, the season gets lighter and your business gets stronger. Here’s how to apply some of Clear’s most practical ideas to help you not just survive the holiday season, but launch into January with invincible momentum. Start with a 1% Mindset One percent doesn’t sound like much until you stack it day after day. You don’t have to reinvent your business. You don’t need a perfect storefront, flawless offers, or an Instagram grid that looks like a lifestyle magazine. Instead, choose one area to improve just slightly. Take that one small step toward your goal. Maybe it’s tightening up your email promo schedule. Maybe it’s creating a smoother checkout flow. Maybe it’s something as simple as promising yourself (and following through on) a good night’s rest for the next month. Small refinements reduce stress and increase sales. They also remind you that progress is happening, even in chaos. Re-design Your Environment Clear says our surroundings often shape our behavior more than our motivation does. This is especially true during the holidays when the pace is high and attention is scattered. Look around your space with strategic eyes. If your workspace feels cluttered, simplify it. If your best seasonal products aren’t visible at first glance, elevate them. If your team keeps losing pens, square readers, bags, or bows, create a “holiday command center” with everything in one place. Tiny environmental shifts create smoother systems. And smoother systems prevent those frantic moments when you’re internally screaming, “Where did we put the gift bags?!” Build Habits That Support Your Busiest Days The season is unpredictable, so anchor your day with predictable habits. A few anchors to consider: • A 5-minute morning reset, before opening or seeing clients • A quick end-of-day review: what sold, what slowed down, what needs restocking, what got clicks, what impact on our customers did we see? • A customer-touch habit: one message, one email, or one thank-you note daily • A “two-minute tidy” before leaving (your future self will adore you) Consistency creates stability. When everything else feels like holiday improv, these anchors act like rhythm lines on the page. Use Systems, not Willpower If you remember nothing else from this article…pay attention… Willpower gets weaker when you get tired. Systems don’t. If you want to post consistently on social media, schedule a week’s worth of content on one calmer afternoon. If you want to upsell a holiday special, script one clear line for every team member. If you want to stay on top of inventory, set an alarm that reminds you to check key items before the weekend rush. During the holidays, systems carry you when energy can’t. Make Good Habits Easy and Bad Habits Harder Clear’s “make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, make it satisfying” formula is your season’s secret weapon. Want your team to use the upsell script? Keep it taped near the register or near each desk. Want customers to sign up for your loyalty program? Put the QR code where people naturally pause and that can be more than one spot. Want to stop scrolling between transactions? Keep your phone in a drawer. Design beats discipline every time. Don’t Forget Identity: Who Are You Becoming This Season? In Atomic Habits, Clear says outcomes come from identity. While you’re navigating the busiest weeks of the year, take a breath and remember who you are as a leader. · Are you the business that handles crowds with warmth? · The business that makes people feel good? · The business that takes care of its team so they can take care of customers? When you anchor yourself in identity, your choices shift. You show up differently. You communicate more intentionally. You prioritize what matters instead of chasing every glitter-coated opportunity. And your customers feel it. Give Yourself Permission to Rest This sounds counterintuitive in a season that thrives on hustle, but rest is productivity’s partner. Clear reminds us that habits compound. That includes bad ones like exhaustion, resentment, and skipping meals. Take care of yourself the way you take care of your customers. Breaks aren’t indulgent; they’re fuel. Let the Season Shape You—Without Steamrolling You You don’t need massive change. You need micro-moves that create calm, clarity, and steady revenue. If you build the right habits now, January stops being a “recovery month” and becomes a runway. Your systems will be tighter. Your team will be stronger. And you’ll have proof that even small businesses can thrive in big seasons.  Read More: 16 Questions to Use to Prepare for Small Business Season Success How to Protect Your Peace During the Busiest Season in Business ------------- Christina Metcalf is a ghostwriter and speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and remain top of mind. She is the author of six books including her recent non-fiction book The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Mastering the Art of Sharing (but not oversharing) Your audience wants to hear from you and get to know you, but oversharing (or sharing inappropriate topics) comes with its own set of problems. Sharing engaging things about yourself will help you build the kind of connections that improve revenue and customer loyalty. If you want to help your customers (and potential customers) get to know you better, we have 15 conversation starters (and post templates you can customize) to help. 1. Your Favorite Local Spot 📍 “When I’m not at [Your Business], you’ll probably find me at [Local Spot] [verb that fits that business] on my favorite [favorite thing about that business]. What’s YOUR go-to place in town?” Example: When I’m not here, I’m at Rocco’s Bookstore sipping my favorite caramel latte and perusing the true crime books. What’s YOUR go-to place in town? 2. Morning Rituals How do you start your day? Share it with your audience. Example: ☕ “Confession: I’m 90% coffee, 10% small business owner in the morning. How do you start your day?” 3. Behind-the-Scenes Moments What is working in your line of business really like? Keep it positive but don’t be afraid to show the hard work or humor behind your day. 📦 “Behind the scenes isn’t always glamorous. Today it’s [describe something funny/chaotic or show a picture or video of what you’re working on]. What’s something most people don’t know about your line of work?” 4. Local Events You Enjoy This is a great way to give a shoutout to another business or group. 🎶 “Loved spending my weekend at [Event Name]! Who else was there? 🙌” 5. Your “Small Joys” Life can be overwhelming. Sharing what keeps you grounded can help others feel the same. 🌅 “Today’s joy: [small moment—like a great cup of coffee, a laugh with a customer, or a pretty sunset]. What made you smile today?” 6. Books or Podcasts You’re Loving 📚 “Currently reading/listening to [Book/Podcast]. It’s got me thinking about [short insight]. Any recommendations I should add to my list?” 7. Pet (or Plant) Adventures 🐾 “Meet our unpaid intern, [Pet’s Name]. Their specialties include napping, snack theft, and morale boosting. 🐶🐱 Show me your ‘coworkers’ in the comments!” People love to talk about their pets and share photos. Plus, it gives you a point of conversation when a loyal customer shares something about their precious fur baby. 8. Food Finds Give other businesses a chance to shine by asking people their favorite or giving them a scenario and asking where you should go such as, “It’s Taco Tuesday. Where are the best fish tacos in town?” or “I love the fish tacos at Julies. Are you team fish or team beef when it comes to that delicious dish?” By asking, you’ll discover people have big feelings about fish tacos (and Hawaiian pizza). 🍕 “Friday night = pizza night. Always. What’s your weekend food tradition?” 9. Music on Repeat 🎧 “On repeat in the shop/office today: [Song/Band]. Drop your current favorite in the comments—I need new tunes!” It can also help when asking for new tunes to give a reason behind your ask like a workout mix, soothing sleep, or romantic date night track. 10. Hobbies and Hopes 🏃 “Training for my first [hobby/goal]. Wish me luck! What new hobby have you picked up this year?” Not only does this connect you to your audience, but it also encourages people to try new things. This can be helpful for those who are interested in something your business specializes in. Maybe they’ve thought about starting a hobby that you’re a pro at and explaining that you started something will make them feel more welcome. For instance, if you’re a gym owner, make sure you tell people that everyone is welcome whether it’s their first workout in 20 years or their 2,001st. Conversely, if you’re for pros only be specific about that. Sometimes the hardest part of trying a new business is wondering if it’s for you. 11. Throwback Stories 📸 “Throwback to my very first day running [Business Name]. I had no idea what I was in for! Do you remember your first day at your job or business?” You can also rephrase the question and ask people what their first job was. Everyone has a first job. 12. Community Pride ❤️ “One of the things I love most about [Your Town] is [specific detail]. What’s YOUR favorite thing about our community?” 13. Your Workspace Quirks 🖊️ “True story: I will fight anyone who tries to take my favorite pen. 😂 What’s one thing you always keep at your desk?” Or ask people what drink is in front of them right now. Asking what’s inscribed on their coffee mug is also a fun question with potentially hilarious results. 14. Seasonal Traditions 🍂 “It’s officially [season/holiday]! Around here that means [tradition]. What’s your favorite tradition?” 15. Gratitude Posts “Just taking a moment to say THANK YOU to every customer who has supported us. You’re the reason we get to keep doing what we love. 💛 What’s something you’re grateful for today?” ✨ Pro Tip: Add a quick photo or short video to each of these posts (your coffee mug, your pet, your desk, your town’s mural, etc.). Visuals + these captions = maximum engagement. If you think of your posts as a conversation and not a monologue, you’ll open up a new connection between your business and your audience. That can be fun and lucrative. Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith