On using month end reviews to stay sane

Month-end. Two little words that can strike fear into the heart of anyone working closely with Finance. It’s a time of tight deadlines, stress, and endless spreadsheets as books are closed and targets recalibrated. Yet, there’s also something deeply satisfying about closing out a month, wiping the metaphorical slate clean, and stepping into a fresh start.

Over the past few months, I’ve started treating my own workload like a finance department at month-end. By setting aside just an hour to “close the books” on my own tasks, I can refocus on what’s immediately in front of me—while keeping one eye on the months ahead. Here’s what I do:

• Inbox Zero (or as close as I can get) I review inboxes, chase anything outstanding, and file away emails I’ve already dealt with. It feels like a reset button for my brain.‍
• To-Do List Review: I comb through my Notion to-do list, closing out completed tasks and reprioritising what’s left.‍
• Monthly Goals: I write down 2–3 achievable goals for the month, giving myself clear priorities to work toward.‍
• Calendar Blocking for My Principals: I scan calendars and block time for deep work. When needed, I'll also note any focus areas for them to prioritise.‍
• Digital Workspace Tidy-Up: I clear my desktop, sort my downloads, and do a quick “spring clean” of my virtual workspace (tedious, but worth it)

For Executive Assistants, this kind of monthly “close” is especially powerful because our work is so often reactive. We’re constantly fielding requests, solving problems, and keeping track of moving parts for multiple people, which makes it easy to lose sight of priorities. Taking time at the end of each month to reset creates space to think strategically rather than just react. It ensures you’re proactively blocking time for your executives, spotting potential roadblocks early, and stepping into the new month with a plan—rather than being swept along by everyone else’s agenda.

By the end of this little ritual, I feel lighter, clearer, and ready to step into a new month. My focus sharpens, my inbox is less of a monster, and that subtle sense of overwhelm fades. It’s a small practice that makes a big difference—especially in a role where juggling details is part of the job.

Thinking of trying it for yourself? Here's my Notion template or you can download a PDF version below.