Can't dress it up, it's been a monumentally depressing year for so many people, unless you work for Zoom or are a self-employed courier driver.
But there has also been massive changes to our culture, opinions and beliefs. A lot of them for the better. Cleaners, Nurses and Checkout Staff have become the new heroes, a lot of us have rediscovered a sense of community, and the days of the 9-5 worker trotting off to the office have been turned on their head. We are moving to a flexible home working task-based economy, which was always going to happen, Covid just fast-forwarded the process.
Plus we have gone nearly a whole year without obsessing about Brexit! Who could have imaged that 12 months ago. 
Normally the New Year is a surge of optimism and energy, to change habits, grow revenue, be a better human being, etc etc. Unfortunately, that seems to be a little lacking if you switch the news on. Optimism seems to have exited stage right, and it looks like we'll all be growing potatoes, brewing moonshine, darning old clothes and reading under candlelight.
So let's kickstart some optimism here 
Start updating your business and marketing plans, get your business as lean as it can be, and if business was slow this year, don't do the same things next year and expect different results. Diversify, examine your skill sets and look around you.
There is a record number of people starting their own business, some through choice, others through desperation. All these small businesses need access to skills and talent they can't afford to employ. So 2021 is going to be even more about outsourcing and growing small business clients. Everyone has skills that are in demand by someone else, and I haven't met anyone yet who can do it all.
So look for those opportunities and grab them. It might admin assistance, copywriting, graphic design, digital marketing, bookkeeping, sales assistance. Maybe it's a handyman service to help set up someone's small office. Or a builder to build the home study, IT support to kit it out and support it, insurance specialist, legal advice, negotiation or contract help, the list is endless.
Small business is going to be even more important in the years to come as our economy modernises and leaves behind outdated and inflexible business models and attitudes. Support your fellow small business owners, communicate, network, pass leads on if you can't handle them, and watch the Karma unfold. Become known as the person to talk to in your niche, be the nice person in your niche. Avoid vitriol debates and one-sided echo chambers, I think most of us have had enough of division and anger.
But that's all for 2021. Right now, where ever you are, and whoever you are with, have a safe and calm Christmas, recharge those batteries, take a breath and let's all take on 2021 together.
Merry Christmas.
