In this episode of the Modern Direct Seller Podcast, we’re diving into 11 practical things to do before 2026. With the holidays approaching and business naturally slowing down, this is the perfect window to reset and prepare for the new year. You’ll walk away with friendly reminders and actionable ideas to close out 2025 with intention and start 2026 with momentum.

Ready to map out your 2026 goals and lean into what’s working in the industry? Join the upcoming planning workshop to reflect on the year, set your first quarter goals, and come ready for prizes.

Time based notes:

11 Things to Do Before January as a Direct Seller

The holidays are here, business is slowing down, and there’s finally a little breathing room. For most direct sellers, the last two weeks of December feel like that messy middle, caught between wrapping up a busy year and gearing up for what’s ahead. It’s the perfect window to reset, refresh, and set yourself up for a strong start in 2026.

Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Before the year officially closes, take a few minutes to send quick notes of gratitude. Think about the people who made a difference, whether they’re your best customers, collaborators who cheered you on, business friends who supported you through the hard days, or anyone who invited you to share your business with their community.

These don’t have to be elaborate. A handwritten note, a voice message, or even a simple DM can mean the world. It’s a feel-good way to wrap up the year that strengthens relationships heading into 2026.

Reconnect and Rekindle

While you’re in gratitude mode, think about the people you wish you’d spent more time with this year. Maybe it’s a supporter, a friend, or a collaborator whose schedule never quite lined up with yours.

Send a simple text: “I’m thinking of you. Happy holidays. I hope we can spend more time together in the new year.” It’s low-pressure, genuine, and a great way to plant seeds for future connections. Plus, you can do it from your couch while watching Hallmark movies with your Christmas tree glowing in the background.

Get Your Contact List in Order

If you did holiday events, you probably have a stack of lead forms somewhere that need attention. Now’s the time to get everyone into your CRM, whether that’s a Google spreadsheet, Oh My Hi, or your company’s system.

Add tags, organize contacts into lists, and note where you met them or what they purchased. Don’t forget about the scattered contacts—the ones on sticky notes, in your notes app, or saved as photos of business cards. Getting everything in one place now means you’re not scrambling in January.

Update Customer Preferences for the New Year

Here’s a brilliant idea credit goes to Debbie Kimble: create a form to update customer preferences for 2026. Use a tool like Oh My Hi or Google Forms to collect updated phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and preferences for how people want to hear from you.

Ask what products they’re interested in, whether they prefer texts or emails, and if they’d ever consider hosting or joining your team. This is also a perfect excuse to reach out in the DMs to gather contact information you might be missing. It’s practical, helpful, and positions you as someone who cares about serving customers well.

Review What You’re Paying For

Take a hard look at your subscriptions. Which tools, memberships, and communities are actually serving your business? Which ones have you outgrown or stopped using?

It’s easy to let subscriptions pile up. But spreading yourself too thin, especially across multiple communities, makes it hard to build deep, meaningful connections. Decide what to keep, what to upgrade or downgrade, and what to cancel before those charges roll into the new year.

Tackle the Year-End Cleanup

You know that pile by your desk? The one that’s been growing all year? Now’s the time to deal with it. Most of it is probably trash at this point, but sorting through it will make sitting down to work in January so much better.

While you’re at it, organize your digital clutter too. Clean up your notes app, sort through ChatGPT conversations, and maybe, just maybe, rename those “Untitled” Canva files and organize them into folders. If you’re feeling ambitious, go through your photo library and favorite the best shots from the year for easy reference later.

Celebrate the Year with a Recap

Creating a year-end recap is one of the best ways to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what’s coming next. Inside the Academy, the social selling action plan includes a template for this, and it’s something Becky forecasts in the virtual retreats every year.

Share your recap on social media, in a blog post, or via email. It’s a great way to express gratitude, plant seeds for what’s ahead in 2026, and celebrate your wins with the people who supported you all year long.

Plan Your January Runway

You don’t need a full year plan right now, but you do need a solid plan for the first couple weeks of January. Think about content themes, especially if you sell health and wellness products that align with “new year, fresh start” messaging.

Consider what promotions, campaigns, or events you want to use to reconnect with customers after the holidays. Check if your company has any January specials for customers or hosts. Having even a rough outline means you can pick up momentum in the new year without feeling like you’re relaunching your entire business from scratch.

Year-End Inventory and Tax Prep

It’s not glamorous, but it’s necessary. Count your remaining product inventory—you’ll need that number when filing your taxes. Organize receipts, track mileage, and get everything ready so tax season doesn’t feel so overwhelming.

This is also a great time to talk to your tax advisor about any year-end business expenditures that might make sense. And if you’re sitting on inventory you’d like to move, consider an after-Christmas sale. Let local customers shop first to avoid shipping costs, then take whatever’s left and sell it live online.

Join the 2026 Planning Workshop

The team is hosting a 2026 planning workshop that’s designed to help direct sellers reflect on the year, set first quarter goals, and get insights on industry trends. It’s a chance to identify big wins, let go of what’s not serving you anymore, and map out a plan that feels exciting.

There will be prizes, gifts, and the return of the Modern Direct Seller Box. Even if you can’t make it live, there’s a replay available. Save your seat here.

Rest is Part of the Strategy

The final tip and (arguably) the most important tip? Rest. Companies will tell you to keep selling through the end of the year, and that’s fine. But taking a breather makes you come back better. More creative, more motivated, and more energized.

Rest looks different for everyone. Maybe it’s a staycation, a road trip, a long walk, a nap, or binge-watching Hallmark movies with hot chocolate. Whatever it is, make it part of your business strategy. Your creativity and motivation depend on it.

Wrap It Up Your Way

This checklist isn’t meant to overwhelm you. Pick what feels right, leave what doesn’t, and enjoy the holiday season with your family. The Modern Direct Seller team is cheering you on all the way into 2026.

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