The Practitioner: A firm set of resolutions

THIS YEAR I am determined to control the lists that I prepare to help me with my tasks, rather than let the lists control me.

There is only one thing left over from the list dated ‘24th December 2013′ and that is to allocate a new set of staff duties, roles, and responsibilities.

I am determined that 2014 will be the year when I spend more time working on the business rather than in it. For this to happen though, I need the team to be crystal clear as to who is responsible for what within the office.

I am currently writing this from across the pond in the US, having taken an extended Christmas and New Year break. I deliberately wanted to allow the staff to work the first week of January without me there, so I can see who steps up the plate in my absence.

My ‘out of office’ email reply is set to tell clients I am back a couple of days later than I actually am, so as to give me some time to catch up on the inevitable email mountain on my return.

On my frequent visits to the US I always feel sorry for the people who, with an hour to go till landing, go and get changed into their shirt and tie. They obviously have to go straight from the airport to the office; something I have never had to do and – touch wood – will never have to!

I’ve never been a good sleeper on overnight flights so I’m not sure how productive I would be if I had to go and sit straight behind a desk from a nine-hour flight.

Of course, once I can afford to fly Business Class then it might be a different story…

To say I’m not looking forward to the January rush is an understatement. As well as having to finish the tax return list we’ve also picked up some nice new pieces of work that commence this month. It will be a challenge to get these started on the right foot.

I’ll probably need another holiday in February, and another list…

The Practitioner’s uncensored thoughts come from within their own practice – having left a regional firm in the heart of England