There are a few important times each year to reflect on how things are going.

Right now is a big one. The kids are back to school, summer vacations are over, and it’s time to recommit.

Before you start your final push this fall…

• Pour yourself some coffee
• Grab your computer or “remarkable” tablet, and
• Ponder the following important questions.

Ten strategic questions to ponder right now:

1. Plans on track?

You started the year with big plans.

Now that you are two-thirds through the year, what have you found is working great? And what’s not?

Slow down and write out your thoughts. What are the underlying reasons for your success or failures.

A written self-assessment is always more honest and creates more urgency — Jeffrey Scott

2. The financial side of business.

There is always room for improvement.

• What sales push needs to happen?
• What new investments do you need to make?
• Are there any lazy expenses or waste to cut?

3. Updating your 2025 pricing.

Should you go into your estimating system and predict cost increases for next year, now?

For example, a 3% increase on a 100k project is 3k right to the bottom line.

Not a big jump on top line or to a client’s bill, but a significant increase (or loss) in contribution if you don’t stay on top of your costs.

4. Become a better leader

“Leadership impacts 70% of your company’s outcome each year.”

In other words, you can’t just blame the marketplace, bad software, or poor strategy.

You have to look inward, and at your team. Where can you improve?

It’s your leadership that impacts everything else.

Be honest in your assessments, and courageous in your actions — Jeffrey Scott

5. Encouragement and Accountability. Are you lacking in either of these areas?

Should you consider joining a mastermind group of your peers or hiring a business coach to help you?

We are gearing up our calendars on both this fall. Go here for more info.

6. Are there a hard decisions you are putting off?

Maybe it’s an employee, business partner or trade partner you need to have a heart to heart with (or let go of.)

A roadmap to your success can be based simply on laying out the next few hard conversations you need to have this fall.

The path to growth runs through your hardest challenges — Jeffrey Scott

7. Improving Your Personal Organization.

What’s something you can do in September to feel more organized and in control of your business?

Could be using an app, or delegating some tasks, or simply having a better morning routine.

8. What’s on your bookshelf?

Grab a book that you’ve been meaning to read, or that impacted you in the past, and commit to reading 10 pages each morning, and soon it will be finished.

Books expand your mind and make ways for new ideas.

9. Sharpening the saw.

What are your vacation and long weekend plans for the next 3 months? and for the entire winter?

Plan the fun first, and the rest will follow — Jeffrey Scott

10. Talk to a coach.

Should you talk to Jeffrey and our team about your business challenges and goals, and how we can help?

If you’ve found our content (newsletters and podcasts) helpful for a while, then September is a great time to talk.

Reply back and say Let’s Talk, and we’ll arrange a time to meet.

Your Challenge: Time to Recommit.

Summer is behind you and the kids are back in school.

Spread the word: Drive safe!!

It’s time to:

• Get back to a more regular and consistent schedule, and
• Kick butt for the remainder of the year.

Let’s go!

REGARDS, JEFFREY SCOTT

P.S. Last week we held our Livestream

From Projects to Partnerships: Converting Design Build to Maintenance

It will become a podcast next month, but you can watch it here now.