Mike Lenhart (bio)

It seems to me that nothing much gets done or started from about the week of Thanksgiving to the first week after the New Year. That important annual report is complete, that crucial website redesign is up and running, and that absolutely critical ad design and placement for the client's campaign is in. Where'd everybody go?

In my experience, it becomes increasingly difficult to not only reach clients and prospects during this time period, it is also difficult to get any answers or decisions made on many a-new project. People simply shut down and begin daydreaming of spending the Holidays in Cabo, spending time with loved ones, or spending money that isn't there on lavish hi-tech gifts for the peeps. It sounds like I'm bitter, but I'm really not.

I just think that a lot of productivity is wasted from the end of November to early January. Maybe I notice it more since the size of my pocketbook fluctuates with the seasons. When I was in the corporate world (horror!), I at least had a steady paycheck during this time.

What's a guy to do? Well, first of all, realize that this is a fact and accept it. Maybe I could plan around this time of year and actually take a vacation myself! Maybe I could update some of my portfolio items. Maybe I could even clean out some of my files and, at the same time, clean out my studio. No, that would be extreme.

All I know is that the time of love and kindness is beginning and many folks with whom I deal are going to be "unavailable". Oh, well, in any case, I will be ready for them when January 2 hits and everything will need to be done by Friday.