Let's be honest. Every December, we tell ourselves the same story: "I'll use the holidays to get ahead, and January will be different." Then January rolls around, and we're exactly where we started, only now with added pressure and regret.

Sound familiar?

Join us as we break this cycle with a smarter approach that requires just one or two days of focused work. No marathon sessions, no guilt-inducing to-do lists—just three strategic moves that'll set you up to start 2026 strong while actually enjoying your downtime.

Because working smarter beats working harder every single time.

Special Note: This episode includes "Christmas For One," an original song written by Warwick and brought to life with Suno AI. It's a heartfelt reminder that however you celebrate the holidays—crowded or quiet, with others or solo—what matters is carving out time for yourself.

Highlights

• (0:00 ) The December Trap: Why that "head start" you promise yourself never materializes—and how to break the cycle.
• (2:34 ) 1. Know Your Renewal Risks: Spend 90 minutes identifying which accounts are actually at risk in Q1 and Q2—before January chaos hits.
• (4:05 ) Risk Signals to Watch: Look beyond obvious contract renewals to spot early warning signs like quiet contacts, lower transactions, and weak relationships.
• (5:10 ) 2. Map Your Relationships: Get real about who matters in your top accounts and how strong those connections actually are.
• (6:24 ) Find the Weak Links: Identify the people you've been avoiding or neglecting—they're your priority outreach for the new year.
• (6:45 ) 3. Professional Reflection: Take honest stock of what worked in 2025 and what didn't—not for your manager, but for you.
• (8:34 ) Pick One Habit: Choose one simple, specific thing to do differently in 2026 (and actually stick with it).
• (9:23 ) You're Done: Once you've completed these three things, you can coast guilt-free through the rest of the holidays.
• (10:44 ) Christmas For One: A personal reflection on celebrating the holidays solo, plus an original song about finding peace in your own company.

Your Game Plan to Own January

• Block 90 minutes to review your accounts and identify renewal risks for Q1 and Q2
• Pull up your CRM and look for risk signals beyond obvious contract expirations
• Map key relationships in your top 5-10 accounts and identify weak links
• List what worked about how you operated in 2025 and what didn't serve you
• Choose one specific habit to start in 2026—keep it simple and actionable
• Give yourself permission to coast once this strategic work is done

Resources

Suno AI Music App - Create your own AI-generated songs

Join The KAM Club - Global community for key account managers

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Did this episode resonate with you? Why not pay it forward and share it with your network on LinkedIn.You're not trying to start January as a different person. You want to start January with one clear thing you're going to do differently and that actually sticks.