How To Prep for Busy Times & Seasonal Peaks: Lessons From Last Season

Hey there, go-getter! Busy seasons can feel like a whirlwind—one moment you’re in the thick of it, and the next, you’re catching your breath and wondering how it got so hectic. What if next time felt different? While the memories are still fresh, now’s the perfect time to set yourself up for a smoother, more manageable season ahead.

Whether sales spiked, your team felt stretched thin, or the workload felt heavier than expected, I’ve got your back. Let’s take those lessons and turn them into a game plan.

Capture the Chaos

Before you settle back into a slower pace, grab a notebook and jot down or type in everything you wish you’d known before things got hectic. Consider questions like:

• When did the rush really start, and when did it die down?
• What bottlenecks appeared in your processes?
• Which tasks felt like surprises, and how can you avoid them next time?

From there, have a quick team debrief. Which of your observations resonated with them as well? They might have noticed pain points or opportunities you didn’t see. Plus, it’s a great way to show you value their input.

Make “What If” Plans Now

You know how they say you shouldn't go to the grocery store when you’re hungry? The same logic applies to planning for busy seasons. It’s hard to make clear, strategic decisions when you’re in the thick of it. So, while things are calm, tackle some “what if” scenarios so you’re not scrambling later.

• What if sales double? Do you have the staff and systems to handle it?
• What if you experience turnover on your onboarding, support, or managed team? What’s the impact if one person leaves? How about more? Is your training process well-documented and easy to replicate?
• What if tech issues pop up? Who’s your go-to for troubleshooting, and do they know your systems inside and out?

Creating a playbook for these situations while things are “quiet” now can save you from scrambling later.

Spread Out Your Peak (If Possible)

One clever strategy for managing busy times is to make them…less busy. Consider ways to smooth out the spike:

• Early-Bird Deals: Incentivize customers to buy or book services earlier.
• Early Information Gathering: For annual projects, start collecting necessary information from clients well in advance to avoid last-minute scrambles.
• Batch Processing: Group similar tasks together to boost efficiency and maintain focus.

You can also use quieter times to train team members on different roles or tasks, building flexibility and increasing capacity when demand peaks.

Delegate—Even to Your Clients!

Your clients can actually take on a more active role in their own success—with the right tools.

• Self-Service Tools: Set up FAQ pages, help centers, or chatbots to handle common inquiries.
• Prep Guides: Provide clear instructions to clients so they come to you ready, saving time on your end.
• Automated Reminders: Reduce back-and-forth by automating reminders for appointments, deadlines, or document submissions.

When your clients are empowered, they’ll not only lighten your load but also feel more in control—win-win!

Take Care of Future You

When planning for busy times, don’t just prep your business—prep yourself. Block off time before things pick up to recharge. Maybe it’s a day off, maybe it’s an afternoon catching up on low-stress tasks, or maybe it’s just a few slow hours with no meetings.

And while you’re at it, schedule mini-breaks throughout the season. Even a 10-minute coffee break can make a world of difference.

What Did I Miss?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! What strategies have helped you survive busy seasons? What unexpected hurdles have you faced? Connect with me via my LinkedIn and share your input. Let’s learn from each other and make next season our best yet!

You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way!