Hello , and welcome to Friday Coffee with MAP!

There may be no stretch of the calendar year quite as peculiar as the days between Christmas and the end of the year. In Norway, this period is known as romjul. Some people are back at work, others are not, and time itself can feel as though it slows down.

The question becomes: how can we use this in-between period intentionally—taking advantage of any downtime while setting ourselves up to hit the ground running in the year ahead? This week’s piece explores seven key techniques for doing exactly that.

Happy reading!

6 Ways to Get Ahead in the Period Between Christmas and the New Year
_{by Ryan Luke for Ladders}

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Ditch resolutions and set meaningful goals for the year ahead: Resolutions are notoriously difficult to sustain beyond January. Instead, apply the S.M.A.R.T. approach to goal-setting by creating goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. This framework not only helps clarify what you want to accomplish, but also how you’ll go about achieving it.

Find a new educational podcast: With the potential for added downtime during this time of the year, be intentional about seeking out refreshing, challenging, inspiring podcasts. The podcast landscape is wildly diverse- if you are interested in something, it is likely that there is a high-quality podcast out there that will address that specific interest. Podcasts are a great resource for developing your knowledge base and skillset.

Spend the week on cooking and meal prep: Meal planning can be a powerful way to save money and eat healthier in the new year. This time of year is an ideal opportunity to build cooking skills that align with your tastes, reduce reliance on ordering out, and be more intentional about making nutritious choices.

Clean out your closets: There is a particular joy—and catharsis—in letting go of old clothing and clutter. Kickstart the new year with momentum by lightening the load in your closet. As a general rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn an item in over a year, it’s likely time to let it go.

Start a habit that supports your mental or physical health: If you look forward to downtime in this period prior to the new year, this can be an excellent time to start a new practice. From jogging to journaling to carving out time to read, this can be hugely beneficial not only to your wellbeing, but your ability to habit-form long term.

Clean up your social media feeds: Clean up your social media feeds—a modern version of cleaning out your closet. It can be surprisingly cathartic to unfollow accounts that no longer bring you joy or add value. Research shows that while enjoyment of social media is declining, overall time spent on it continues to rise—suggesting we’re consuming more content that doesn’t support our well-being. Be intentional about curating a feed that serves you.

By following these key steps in the days ahead, the end of the year will be one of the most productive periods of your 2025!
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So tell us: Do you have any traditions for the period between Christmas and New Years Eve? We’d love to hear them!

Wishing you a restful “romjul!” and a Happy New Year, from MAP.

Thank you,

The MAP Team

MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors | A Member of Advisory Services Network, LLC
10345 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 110
Los Angeles, CA 90064
OFFICE: 310.601.4095
FAX: 310.388.5484
WEB: www.mapstrategic.com

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