I always thought September was the start of the real “new year.” Why? There are so many changes happening this time of the year:
- Summer is winding down
- School is opening
- Baseball races are heading into the home stretch
- Leaves begin to change
- Days get shorter
- Temps get lower
- Debut of new TV shows
- Sales teams plan the Q4 push
- Football season kicks off
- Profit Lounge starts a new season (I host a monthly worldwide teleconference call for coaches)
So, what does your performance look like from September 2011 through August 2012?
Have you:
- made your sales numbers?
- developed your Gen Y leaders and strengthened the bench?
- adopted one resource to ensure success? Or, have you hopped from one thing to another (shiny new object syndrome) without following through?
- done what you said you were going to do?
- increased the odds of winning by putting yourself in position to win?
- maintained a lifestyle to have energy to get things done? (Rest, exercise, and diet?)
Be honest. Over the last 12 months, what grade do you give yourself? An A or a B? Did you just pass? Incomplete? Or, did you drop the course?
To improve your grade, you’ve got to take massive action.
End Game Business offers business coaching, leadership development, and team programs to help you achieve a grade of A.
I was really counting on the last 4 months to complete my year!
Darn!
So if August marks the end of the year (which does make sense) I give myself a B-.
I earned some new clients, had some great vacations with my family and have my first novel getting ready for publication next month. All in all, an okay year. (But give me till December 31 and I’ll bet my grade jumps up!!!)
Tom, that sounds like a marvy year to me.
I wouldn’t want to be a student in your class. Tough grader. 🙂
I agree with Tom! I need a few more months 😉 Feeling excited about the progress so far… but things never take hold as fast as we would like. Enjoying the journey and the process. Lots of new happenings this year at work and at home. My kids are both really excited about their new beginnings in September. Life is feeling good.
Good to hear Karin.
How was the ice cream celebration with your team?
Interesting Steve. I’m not totally sure I agree with you. Often I find that small changes can amass great results as long as they’re on point. For instance, a hitter in baseball can go into a slump and no amount of batting practice will get them out of that slump. But have a batting coach say “you’re dipping your shoulder more than you usually do” is a small change that could bring the swing back into focus and performance.
Still, I will acknowledge that some people get way off the grid and might need to take massive action here and there.
I’ve written posts on small steps as well as those that wait until they’re at the end of their rope.
Moving forward is subjective.
Thanks for your comment.