We are nearly three weeks into January, and we’ve just navigated "Blue Monday." (The supposed "worst day of the year," not the classic hit by New Order—though that would have been a much better soundtrack for the week).

By now, the frantic "New Year, New Me" energy has usually hit a wall. The sky is grey, the credit card bills from December are landing, and the reality of running a business in the cold light of a UK winter has truly set in. If you’re feeling a bit flat, let us be the first to tell you: you aren’t doing it wrong, you’re just in the thick of it.

In a real park, mid-January isn’t about frantic growth; it’s about transition. The ground is often frozen solid or thick with mud. The pace is naturally slower. But look closely, and you’ll see the "fitness freaks" are out in their high-vis finding a sustainable rhythm, the dog walkers are sticking to their routines, and the nature lovers are spotting the very first signs of life in the undergrowth.

In business, January is exactly like that park. It’s not about the sprint on the 1st; it’s about the pace you can keep up on the 20th, even when the "Blue Monday" gloom is trying to settle in.

Depending on what you do, your "January Park" looks very different right now.

❄️ The Lull: For the Builders, Trades, and Creatives

For many of our clients in construction and the creative industries, the first half of January can feel like a park under a deep frost.

The phone is quieter than it was in November. The "Christmas lull" has a habit of stretching out its legs. You’ve spent the last fortnight trying to get the machinery moving again—whether that’s a van, a laptop, or a studio—but the gears still feel a bit stiff.

The danger at this point in the month—especially when the headlines are telling you how miserable everyone is—is the "startup" panic. When the diary has gaps, it’s tempting to take any job at any price just to see the numbers move. But running a business on "frozen ground" requires a specific kind of fitness. It’s about stamina and preparation.

This is your pre-season training. Now is the time to check your "kit"—your pricing, your pipeline, and your processes—so that when the ground thaws and the spring rush hits, you aren’t the one pulling a hamstring because you weren't ready.

🌧️ The Hangover: For the Caterers, Hospitality, and Producers

If you’re in hospitality or food production, your January Park looks a bit different. It’s more like the park the morning after a massive festival.

The crowds have gone, but they’ve left a bit of a mess behind. The grass is trampled (that’s your energy levels), the bins are full (that’s your admin pile), and the ground needs some serious repair work.

You’ve survived the December rush and the initial January cleanup, but the "hangover" is now financial. The turnover was high, but now the bills for the extra staff, the emergency ingredient orders, and the VAT are all landing on your desk at once.

For you, January fitness isn't about a sprint; it’s about recovery and repair. It’s about looking at the "stats" from December, seeing what actually made money, and ringfencing what you need to get through the next few weeks of "winter maintenance."

🏃‍♂️ Financial Fitness is a Team Sport

At Parks Bookkeeping, we chose our name for a reason. A park is a green space to be enjoyed, but it’s also a place where performance happens.

Whether you are a "nature lover" who started your business for the freedom and the craft, or a "fitness freak" who is driven by growth and hitting new PBs, you both need the same thing: solid ground to walk on.

If your finances are a mess, it’s like trying to run a trail race in flip-flops. You might make it a few miles, but eventually, you’re going to twist an ankle.

We see "Financial Fitness" as being about more than just the numbers in your bank app. It’s about your mental fitness, too. It’s the ability to look at your business and feel like you are in control of the game, rather than the game controlling you.

👟 Your January "Warm-up" Exercises

Before you try to break any records this year, let’s get the basics right. Here is how to find your footing this month:

If you’re in the Lull (Builders/Creatives):

• Check your "Form": Look at your quotes from last year. Did they actually cover your time and overheads? If not, January is the time to adjust your gait.

• Clear the Path: Chase the late payers from December. Don't let "old" money hold up your "new" year.

• Prep the Kit: Get your receipts and software in order now, before the spring projects start piling up.

If you’re in the Hangover (Hospitality/Catering):

• The Post-Match Analysis: Look at your December margins. Which events or menus actually delivered? Which ones just left you exhausted?

• Ringfence the Essentials: Before you spend a penny of that December turnover, set aside what is owed for VAT, tax, and key suppliers.

• Rest and Repair: Give yourself permission to have a "maintenance" month. You cannot run a high-performance business on an empty tank.

🤝 Book your Financial Fitness Review

We aren't the kind of accounting professionals who stand on the sidelines with a whistle, shouting about what you "should" have done.

We are more like a Personal Trainer for your business. We sit down with you, look at the current "stats," and help you build a plan that fits the life you actually have—not the one in a textbook.

Whether you’re trying to get moving after a quiet spell or trying to catch your breath after a frantic one, we can help you find a steadier pace.

No judgement, no jargon, and no "new year, new you" fluff. Just practical support to help you feel fit, focused, and in control of your numbers.

👉Book your Financial Fitness Review here!