Destination Success: Fall brings second chance for business, life resolutions

Sinara Stull O'Donnell is a professional speaker and writer through Springfield-based SinaraSpeaks. She is the author of "Be The Star Of Your Life: Are You Ready For Your Close-Up?"

The first summer (1999) that my husband and I were in Springfield was the hottest since 1917. I remember complaining (whining, really) to my neighbor. She comforted me by saying, "It will be beautiful right after Labor Day, you'll see."

I will never forget our first fall in the Ozarks! It was breathtakingly beautiful and the weather was perfect! What I sensed most keenly was that change was in the air. It seemed cooler days and the leaves turning to crimson and gold had energized people. I felt different, too. I wanted to get organized, change my life and work on some of those resolutions I had made at the first of the year.

How can we capitalize on this second "new year"? Here are some tips, which may help your business and your life.

In a no-nonsense manner, analyze the year so far. You have three-and-a-half months until 2004. Ask yourself honest questions about where you thought you'd be now and where you actually are. What aspects of your business/life can you calibrate to make your goals a reality? It may be that the goals themselves have to be re-written. So many times, I began the year with the resolution to write a book.

Last year, that goal was finally realized, but now I want to write my second book. I remember a speaker at a writer's conference who said, "If you write a page a day, you'll have a book in a year." I haven't done that this year. Even if I started today, I wouldn't be finished. However, I can start working on the book and perhaps have it finished by Labor Day 2004.

Start writing your 2004 resolutions and goals. What do the most successful people have in common? They have their eye on the ball. They "see" their goals in front of them as a shining city on a hill and they do not waver in their pursuit. On a daily basis, that is difficult to maintain. We have family emergencies. The economy takes a dip. Now is the time to look squarely at what has happened and re-evaluate. It may be that you cannot reach a few of your stated goals by the end of the year and they can be postponed. Cross them off and add to your 2004 list. That gives you a four-month breather.

If you are looking for a job, September is the best month to start. In the job market, September and October are the boom months. Companies want to fill positions by the end of the year, perhaps before the holidays. If you are seeking a position, now is the time to network, answer ads and polish up your resume.

Prepare for the holidays now. You know what it is like between Thanksgiving and New Year's. If you are in retail, you don't have a minute to call your own. Accountants gear up for "tax season." Kids are taking finals. The list goes on and on. September is the time to make a business plan for the holidays. You may want to set the date for your holiday party, order Christmas cards, buy customer gifts or finalize employee holiday vacation plans. If you make a few of these decisions now, you will have more options to choose from.

Set four major goals to be accomplished by the end of the year. These may be from your original resolution list or may be new ones based upon your analysis of the year. Make sure they are realistic and that you can believe in them.

For example, you may have an end-of-the-year sales goal. Based upon your knowledge of the past, how many marketing calls will it take you to reach the goal? If it will take five calls a day, for example, post this goal and record your calls. That is 25 calls a week, approximately 100 a month. One hundred sounds daunting. Five a day is manageable.

Give yourself a personal reward program.

Airlines, hotels and credit cards reward frequent spenders with points, which are redeemable for free, flights, free nights and prizes. Write your goals and next to each one, write down a reward. For example, your goal by the end of the year might be to lose 10 pounds. This is a very realistic goal for a four-month period. How about a massage, a pedicure or new dress or suit when you have reached your goal? Let's say yours is a sales goal. What about a day off to do nothing when you have reached the goal? A day without the five calls.

September is a month of new beginnings. The seasons are changing. Are you? Happy Second New Year.