Before we knew it, we blinked, and the fourth quarter is upon us.
When did it become September? Are you asking yourself the same question?
Calendars are changing, next year’s plans are being made, and people are paying attention to what it will take to achieve the end-of-year goals. Leaders are in full-scale acceleration mode to pull out the stops and screech into the new year feeling fabulous!
Did you do what you wanted to do?
Did you achieve your milestones?
Or do you still have miles to go?
Take a few minutes to watch (this really, really old) video on this topic (although one thing I’d change is I kinda hate the word hustle — it’s become so overused, maybe we replace that with hard work!)
This video helps answer:
- How do I make my fourth quarter the most productive of the year?
- How can I reach my annual goals with only a few months left?
- How do I keep my team focused during the fourth quarter?
Implement a few steps to ensure your absolute focus and attention are paid to your goals and priorities that you want to accomplish throughout the remainder of the year. You are not alone, I am right there with you. My list is LONG!
5 Things You Can Do RIGHT NOW For a Strong Fourth Quarter
Monday Makeover
Give yourself a 15-minute head start on this week’s activities, so you’re absolutely ready for anything. Meetings? Totally cool. Performance reviews? You’ve got this. Appointments? Locked and focused. Deadlines and deliverables? You’re a master. Next, take a glance at the month ahead and prioritize your pipeline. Might it take more than 15 minutes? Maybe. But once this is a habit? You’ll breeze through with ease.
Check the numbers
Numbers matter. Watch your financial targets and keep them in your sight to remind yourself weekly of the last quarter results that are your responsibility. Mine are printed above my desk and on my phone for daily accountability!
Gaps and Goals
Now’s the perfect time to complete a gap analysis of where you are vs. where your GOALS said you’d be at this time. Deep dive to see what’s necessary to bridge that gap if your revenue, productivity, prospecting, or sales aren’t where you want or need them to be. That will become the foundation of your action plan for the next 90-days.
Hard work and Grit
Ever heard that saying, “No grit—no Chanel pearl.” (okay, maybe I added the Chanel part)? Now’s the time to feel a sense of urgency to close deals, finish projects, follow up on proposals, add value to clients, and make phone calls to connect with your important client base. Watch goals daily, weekly, and monthly and monitor them because your business (and your team’s success) depends on it!
Cancel meetings
Meetings are necessary, and asking someone to spend their time with you is a huge ask, so make sure they are time-efficient team meetings that are NO longer than 20-40 minutes, tops, with agendas and clear objectives.
Remember luxury isn’t about things, it’s about experiences. What is the experience you want to have this quarter to be able to celebrate your success?
It’s never too late to focus on this year’s objectives and pay attention to what matters most. Grab the most from this last quarter, tap into these strategies, and focus on what matters to you and your success.
