End the Snake year on a sweet note and start the Horse year with a bang.

The transition from the old year to the new in Chinese culture is far more than just a break from work or a holiday; it is a spiritual and cleansing reset. 

While many focus on the reunion dinner or red packets, the timing of when you close your books and reopen your doors is considered a foundational pillar of success for the coming year.

Choosing an auspicious date to stop work before the Lunar New Year and a propitious day to resume is believed to align your professional life with the celestial flow, inviting prosperity, harmony, and vitality of positive vibes called "Sheng Qi" （生氣） into your career, business and your life.

Start planning your annual leave and holiday so that you end the year positively, without burden and leave no unfinished work. This will then pave the way for you to start the new year strong.

Here are the dates to consider to stop work just days before the big event.

To do list on your last day of work

1.Complete your tasks

2.Tidy and clean up your desk

3.Leave an ambient desk light on

4.Stick a decal or sticker of good fortune

5.Prepare a business email or call

•Do not step into office on the date you’ve chosen to stop work

•Avoid remote work after your last day of work

1. Clearing the way before the year comes to a close

Two significant practices stand out as the year edges to its final days.

One is the act of Spring Cleaning.

The other, no less important, is to clear one's debts or repay the kindness of others with gratitude.

2. Closing the Chapter: The Art of Stopping Work

Ending the year on the right foot is about more than just finishing a "to-do" list; it’s about sealing in your gains and clearing out stagnant energy.

• Clearing the Path: Choosing a favorable day to stop work symbolizes a clean break from the challenges of the past year. It allows you to "store" your wealth and luck safely before the transition.

  
  

• The Psychological Reset: Psychologically, a planned and auspicious "closing" date provides a sense of completion. It ensures that you enter the festive season with a peaceful mind, free from lingering professional anxieties.

  
  

• A Rite of Gratitude: Many businesses use the final working day to offer thanks to deities or ancestors and to reward employees. Doing this on a "Success" or "Full" day (according to the Tong Shu or the Almanac) is said to ensure that your team remains loyal and motivated in the year to come.

  
  

3. The Grand Opening: Starting the Year Right

If closing the year is about preservation, starting the year after the Lunar New Year holidays is about activation. In Feng Shui and Chinese metaphysics, the first day you resume work sets the template for the next twelve months.

Why the Date Matters:

• Attracting Financial Luck: Starting on an auspicious day—often a day that aligns with your Chinese zodiac sign—is believed to trigger a wealth spring, attracting new clients and lucrative opportunities.

  
  

• Harmonious Relationships: A well-chosen start date helps minimize office politics and friction. It fosters a spirit of cooperation among colleagues and partners, which is essential for any thriving enterprise.

  
  

• The First Action Ritual: On this auspicious day, it is common practice to perform symbolic acts: wearing new clothes, distributing ang paos (red packets) to staff, or even just turning on all the lights and computers at a specific "Golden Hour." This signals to the universe that you are ready to receive abundance.

  
  

4. How to Choose Your Dates

While a Feng Shui practitioner can provide a personalized analysis, most people refer to the Tong Shu (Chinese Almanac). Here is what to look for when available :

Date Type	Significance
Success Day	The most auspicious day for starting any new endeavor or business.
Initiate Day	Best for long-term projects and ensuring steady, consistent growth.
Full Day	Excellent for retail openings, launching products, or signing contracts.
Avoid Clash Days	Ensure the chosen date does not "clash" with your personal Zodiac sign (e.g., a "Day of the Horse" may be bad for someone born in the Year of the Rat).

5. The Lasting Impact of a Good Start

Beyond the tradition, there is a profound beauty in the intentionality of these practices. By selecting a specific day to stop and start, you are practicing mindfulness in business. You are acknowledging that your work is not just a grind, but a rhythmic part of a larger cycle.

When you start on a day that is believed to bring "good fortune and lots of happiness," you carry that confidence into every meeting and decision. Whether it is through the alignment of the stars or the simple power of a positive mindset, starting the year "right" creates a momentum that is hard to break.

Start work process:

Follow recommended date & time

Clean desk, turn on desk light, play light music or a desk fan

Best to receive a red packet or token from the bosses or superiors

Place pair of mandarin oranges & red packet (take home on 3^rd March)

Make a business call, virtual meet, send an email or invite client to lunch