You’ve probably been running around like crazy all year, putting out fires, keeping your business running, taking care of family issues, etc. You’re not alone, most of us have hectic schedules.

When I worked for a corporation, my favorite week to work was the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. There were so many people out, no one could schedule meetings. The phone hardly rang, and it was quiet around the office. I got more done in that one week than in a typical two or three weeks.

Since being on my own, I’ve used that time to catch up on both business and personal projects that I have been trying to find time for. Here are some ideas of how you can use the down time you may experience during the holiday season:

Take care of those year-end accounting chores, such as gathering receipts and preparing for taxes.

Put together those new marketing materials you’ve been saying you need. Write brochure copy, choose a new logo or slogan, whatever.

Update your web site. Or create one if you don’t already have one.

Make a plan for next year. Think about your goals for next year, and how you plan to reach them. Put your plan in writing.

Write an article or two, and send them off to magazines, newsletters and/or web sites. Or get started on that book.

Not up to writing a book? Read one. Pick up that business book (or even a great novel) you haven’t had time to read.

Get organized. Catch up your filing, organize supplies, and get ready to get down to business.

Do you need a tax break? Buy a new computer or furniture before the end of the year if you need them and can deduct them. Or learn about retirement accounts that can reduce your taxes.

Relax. You’ve worked hard all year, so you deserve at least a day or two where you’re not running yourself ragged. Read by the fire, a cup of cocoa nearby. Go out to lunch someplace fun. Visit a museum. Get a massage. Indulge yourself–you’re worth it!

One of my favorite quotations from Zig Ziglar is this:

“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

I often say that I hate to sell. But I do love to help my clients reach their goals and achieve their dreams. Turns out, that is really the key to selling. When you help other people, both you and they benefit.

Selling is not about making people buy something. It is about helping them. When you focus on helping your customers instead of selling to them, you will be more successful.

Think about when you are the customer. Do you want someone to sell to you? Most of us love to buy things but hate being sold to.

Do you know what your customers want? If you do, and you can help them get it, you will be successful.

Whether you are selling a product or a service, speak to your customers’ dreams and desires to get them to buy. Then deliver on your promise to help them make their dreams and desires come true.

But what if you don’t know what your customers want? Ask! But don’t ask what they want to buy. Ask about their goals, their dreams, their desires. What is most important to them? When you know that, you will be able to see how you can help them.