Fall into Your Most Productive Season Yet
Fall has always been my favorite season. Summer has passed, the weather starts to feel crisp and cool, and the leaves start to change their color in preparation for Winter.
As I walk through my neighborhood and nearby hiking trails, I can't help but ponder how the changing colors of the leaves serves as a metaphor to what we can also be doing in our business.
So, I want to share three key things you can to change your business today to prepare your business for a successful changing of the seasons.
1) Take a moment to look around you.
As the year’s end fast approaches, it’s always good to take note of the shifts that have happened in our business and in ourselves. Ask yourself:
- What are some key accomplishments and celebrations you had up until now?
- What are some things that have really transformed you?
- What are some things you've learned throughout the year that maybe have been breakthroughs and thus has changed you or your perspective in certain situations?
Asking these questions, allows us to see how far we've come as individuals and it gives us the added fuel to push forward through the last couple months of the year.
2) Determine some things you can let go of
Similar to how the leaves fall from the trees, we too, should take inventory of what may no longer be serving us. Is it a toxic relationship? A poorly performing employee or marketing campaign? Or is it even some self-criticizing thoughts that go through our head on a regular basis that really do nothing for us, other than hold us back?
Take note of what those people, things, or thoughts are and, as Marie Kondo would say, "thank them for their service" (because of course, it did serve us for something at some point in time). Give these things the gratitude they deserve, and then send them on their merry way.
This process can be so powerful, because it clears the way for new "healthier" leaves to come and grow around us.
3) Gear up and get ready!
Now this recommendation doesn’t really have a botanical reference. The Fall, however, is the start of my favorite sport in the world: BASKETBALL! So since this is the 4th quarter, after all, I’m going with a sports analogy.
Just like the any game in NBA, in the 4th quarter of your business, you want to be all hands on deck and saving your best for last. If you are not in the lead, you may want to start doing some things differently.
Ask yourself:
- What's another strategy you can put into place?
- What is a different play you can create?
- Who can be your clutch player or point person you look for to make that game winning shot?
As we all know, in business, we cannot do it alone. Even if you are a solo entrepreneur, it's a team sport, because you have clients, partners, and hopefully mentors or coaches who are cheering you on and becoming your raving fans!
Changes in nature are always a great cue for us because just like the changing color of the leaves as preparation for winter, we too can take advantage of this time of year to "let go" of the things that are no longer serving us.
We can "reveal a new color" to others, and "embrace" the unique qualities in each of us that allow others to see who we are and what we have to offer, especially as we approach the busiest and most wonderful time of the year.