September is here, and you know what that means: children are back in school, the sun cream is stashed away, and it’s time to shake off that post-holiday haze. But let’s be honest, after a summer of BBQs, beach days, and maybe a cocktail or two, getting back into the groove of running your business can feel a little challenging.
Fear not, fellow business owners! September is the perfect time to hit the reset button, reassess your goals, and make a final, triumphant push towards ending 2024 on a high note. Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting some of your stuff together!
Step 1: Take a Good, Hard Look at Your 2024 Goals (Yes, Those Ones)
Remember those ambitious goals you set at the start of the year? The ones you were going to crush with all the enthusiasm of a New Year’s resolution gym-goer? Yeah, those. September is the time to dust them off, see where you’re at, and (brace yourself) admit where you might have fallen short, or celebrate if you’ve unexpectedly smashed them whilst squirrelling away pre-summer break.
Start by reviewing your progress. What’s working? What’s gathering dust? Be brutally honest with yourself, but don’t get too bogged down by what you haven’t accomplished—things are likely to have changed since you first put them in place; there’s been a new government and several major sporting events that have happened in the meantime, nine months is a long time!
Step 2: Reassess, Refocus, and Revamp
Now that you’ve taken stock of where you stand, it’s time to reassess and refocus. Maybe your original goals were too ambitious (hey, we’ve all been there), or perhaps your business priorities have shifted. That’s okay! The key is to realign your goals with your current reality and what you want to achieve by the end of the year.
Ask yourself:
– What are the must-hits before the year ends?
– What can be scaled back or postponed?
– What new opportunities have emerged that you should jump on?
Revamp your goals to reflect your current business landscape and ensure they’re achievable within the remaining months of the year. Remember, progress is progress, no matter how small. Make sure those goals are SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed!
Step 3: Tackle Your To-Do List Like a Pro
If your to-do list is anything like mine, it’s probably longer than a child’s Christmas wish list. But here’s the thing: not everything on that list needs to be done by you. Let’s face it: we all have those tasks that we avoid like the plague because we’re either not good at them or they drain the life out of us. This is where the magic of outsourcing comes in.
Do you hate bookkeeping? Can’t stand social media scheduling? Not great at admin tasks? It’s time to call the cavalry, aka your trusty Virtual Assistant (VA). Outsourcing those frustrating and/or time-consuming tasks can free up your time and energy to focus on what you do best: driving your business forward.
Step 4: Make a Plan (and Stick to It, Please)
Once you’ve streamlined your goals and delegated what you can, it’s time to create a solid plan for the rest of the year. Break down your goals into actionable steps and set realistic deadlines. This isn’t about creating another never-ending to-do list but mapping out a clear path to success.
And here’s the kicker: you have to stick to the plan. No more winging it! Treat your plan like a GPS—if you stray off course, it will take longer to reach your destination. And no one wants to be stuck in business traffic (listening to Chris Rea, obviously) in December because they didn’t follow directions.
Step 5: Celebrate Small Wins (With Snacks, Obviously)
As you progress through your revamped goals, remember to celebrate the small wins. Finished that report early? High-five yourself. Landed a new client? Do a little happy dance. Completed a task you’ve been putting off for months? It’s an excellent reason for a huge celebration.
Celebrating small victories keeps you motivated and makes the journey to your end-of-year goals a lot more enjoyable. Who doesn’t love a good excuse to indulge in a little treat?
Step 6: Prepare for the Grand Finale
As the year winds down, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to end 2024. Do you want to finish with a bang? Set yourself up for an even stronger 2025? Or maybe just make it to the holiday break with your sanity intact?
Whatever your end game is, make sure you plan for it now. Wrap up loose ends, solidify client relationships, and, most importantly, ensure you’re not dragging unfinished business into the new year. The goal is to close out 2024 feeling accomplished, not overwhelmed.
Step 7: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Running a business can be challenging, and there’s no shame in asking for help when you need it. Whether it’s outsourcing tasks to a VA, seeking advice from a mentor, or even just venting to a fellow business owner, don’t go it alone. Remember, a successful business owner knows when to delegate and when to lean on others for support.
September is the perfect time to refocus, recharge, and get your business back on track. With some planning, strategic outsourcing, and a healthy dose of humour, you can confidently tackle the rest of the year. So roll up your sleeves, dive into that to-do list, and make the final months of 2024 your best yet. And hey, if you need a little help along the way, you know where to find us!
