2011 is fast approaching. It’s time to schedule the events that need to happen for the coming year and get them locked down on your calendar and on the calendars of everyone in your firm. You’ll have dates you need to reserve beyond the dates I’ve provided below. Now is the time to think it through so you won’t miss anything big or be forced to squeeze something in at the last minute.

Go ahead and book the following:

1. Schedule four all-hands firm meetings. You should hold one at the beginning of each quarter. Our meetings usually last about four hours and include an update on what happened during the last quarter and an agenda for the coming quarter. It’s a great time to talk through issues and focus on growing and improving the firm.

2. Schedule the firm holiday party for December. Book a nice place that might be hard to get late in the year.

3. Schedule a couple of fun afternoons away from the office for the entire team. Try bowling or miniature golf. Avoid activities involving water (at least, that’s what my team tells me).

4. Create a calendar entry for getting the financial documents to your accountant for tax return preparation.

5. Put an event on the calendar to remind you 60 days in advance of the deadline for renewing your health insurance. That will give you time to compare your options.

6. Block the time for your vacations. Put three or four weeks on the calendar now and go ahead and start making arrangements for some trips.

7. Make note of any expiring space or equipment leases and give yourself ample notice if you’re required to provide written notice regarding termination.

8. Schedule monthly and weekly meetings with your team consistent with your usual patterns. I also book weekly one-on-one meetings with my direct reports at the same time each week.

9. Calendar any annual CLEs, conventions, meetings, etc. that you can schedule now. Do the research so you’ll know the dates and go ahead and get your travel booked as early as possible.

That’s all that comes to mind for me right now. Think through your processes and enter the dates on the calendar now. A few minutes of thinking and preparing will result in a much smoother 2011.