Have you noticed how direct sellers seem to take a holimonth instead of a holiday every December? It's like they neatly put their business on the shelf for most of the month of December (or at least from the 15th on) and hope against hope that it will be there, strong as ever, waiting for them come January 2nd when the world starts to turn again. Unfortunately, it's often more the case that their neglected business has withered and is in dire need of resuscitation come January.

It's important to make sure you're booking yourself solid for January in November and early December. (I wrote a blog post on that topic last week. You can access it here). But once you've done that, do you have any options besides just taking two weeks off at the end of December? Absolutely!

Remember all those business activities you've been saying you didn't have time for all year (like personal development, follow up calls, and planning)? Well, now you've got two weeks spread out in front of you like a gift. Grab it and rip it open!

Here are just a few ideas for how you might spend your work hours over the next few weeks. I'll start with some ideas for leaders (and just FYI, if you're a leader, this is a great opportunity to get yourself and your team set up for success in 2010!)

• Plan all of your meetings for 2010 (need help? Our "Smart Leader's Monthly Meeting Planning System" will give you complete outlines and trainings for 12 monthly meetings. Check it out here.) You can even include your team or downline leaders if you have them in your planning time. Throw a small party, put some cookies and coffee out, and have fun! You'll be surprised at how quickly this task will go when you're brain storming with others.
  
• Take 1/2 day and call all of your downline leaders and direct downline to check in and learn how you can support them with their goals for 2010.
  
• Make a recording (you can use Audio Acrobat or Freeconferencecall.com) for your entire team giving them ideas for how to succeed in the new year. Our client Codi Ayers does this monthly for her team and has had great results. She shares with them:
  • Some fun ideas for theme shows in the coming month, complete with a themed invitation e-mailed to them
    
  • An overview of the host bonuses for the following month
    
  • A quick recognition of those on her team who are new consultants
    
  • A booking incentive (like a drawing for a great item from your line)
    

If you're not yet a leader, here are some great ideas for using your time at the end of December:

• Call all of your September, October, November and December guests and make sure they're happy with their products. Come armed with some great reasons to host a party in January and make it your goal to book at least three parties.
  
• Commit to listen to/read at least one training program related to your business and write down at least three ideas you want to implement based on that training.
  
• Set up and launch a "Host of the Month" club. Here's a simple format:
  
   
  • 12 participants are required, 1 Hostess for each month of the year.
    
  • Each hostess is required to place a minimum order of $30 each month.
    
  • Each member will have one month assigned to her as Hostess of the Month at the beginning of the year.
    
  • The Hostess of the Month will receive ALL Hostess rewards for her month.
  • If the Hostess of the Month decides to have a personal Home Party in her month, she will have the Monthly Hostess Club funds applied to her party! She begins with at least $360.00 worth of orders, thereby increasing her Home Party sales & Hostess Rewards!