I have been trying to resist tapping the keyboard until Monday when the whole world will be easing themselves back to work but, you see, I have a bit of a worry on and this is not a good way to start the New Year.
Looking through my news feeds this morning there seems to be a domination of weather related bulletins - the start back to work is going to be a hard one for many.
I am not concerned for road, rail or bus passengers who work in warm offices but for the many thousands of land-based practitioners who not only have to find their way to work, they have to brave whatever Mother Nature throws at them and try to make a living for themselves and families.
I can speak from experience when I say that it is usually stressful enough to take time off at a junction in the year when income is often down. a few days off; a week or two; can severely damage cashflow or even cause a hiatus that may take many more weeks or months to smooth out; it is time to pray for a long period of fine weather.
Throw bad weather into the mix around Christmas and I can tell you that there will be some very stressed and depressed small business owners who will be finding it hard as the Nation tries to kick-start itself after the festive break.
Even two to three weeks before Christmas the ground had been frozen or covered in snow; this lead-in to the holiday season is vital to add a little fat to what might already be a lean bank accountant.
I am sure you have your own worries to deal with but if you employ a gardener or you are at the start, middle or just completed a landscaping project then please spare a thought and think of ways of helping out.
Paying bills on time is crucial but is there anything else that you can think of? Perhaps the paths and drive needs clearing of snow; a garage or shed could do with a tidy-up or perhaps an area of neglected shrubbery that would benefit from a thinning out?
There are weather warnings, some severe, being issued by the Met Office predicting heavy snow for many parts of the UK; if it freezes and remains for days or weeks it could bring on hardship for many, many one-man-bands and small to medium sized operations.
As a small business owner (7-16 employees) Christmas was always a bitter sweet pill. I looked forward immensely to the festive ritual and a break (I knew that clients would not call) but as the countdown to the first day back began from the 25th, I found it extremely hard to keep my mind from worrying how to schedule work and keep the pennies rolling in - I think this scenario is one that will be felt widely amongst land-based businesses.
For the latest weather forecast visit the Met Office.
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