Auld Lang Syne
Happy New Year!
No, I'm not jumping the gun. It's just that the beginning of September still feels like the real start of the year for me. Sure, I've been out of school for a long time now, but now I've got kids filling that role. My daughter's back in class tomorrow; my son's back to high school next week.
But there are so many things about early September that just scream New Year.
School's a big one, but junior hockey and NHL training camps are getting underway (NHL season starts Oct. 1), and for a lot of Canucks, that's the time of year that really matters.
Vacation time, for the most part, is over. The summer's an endless dance of people coming and going around here. One and two-week vacations overlap, with the result that you can go a month or more without seeing someone that you're used to seeing once a day.
The cooler weather is here. Not that it's saying much for this summer, as I think we had about a week and a half of true, oppressive heat. I'm not complaining. I'm not a heat guy, so bring on the cold! And September means nights getting darker, earlier, cooler more comfortable temperatures… NFL football and the best part of the CFL season (wait, am I back to sports here?)
The Housemartins have a song called "I Smell Winter." I always loved that imagery because, to me, fall and winter have a certain comforting smell about them. It's a heady mix of burning wood, pine needles, and crisp air that just can't be beat. And for those of you who don't get winter, I truly feel sorry for you, because there's just something so pure about taking a deep breath on a cold day, the crisp air biting your lungs, and being able to watch your breath rise and dissipate in the night.
Of course, September means preparation. Back-to-school supplies and clothes for the kids, planning of swimming lessons and dance class (again, for the kids — although I do make a tutu look good!), and of course a birthday (my wife's, today, Happy Birthday!)
It's also the start of a new qualification year for Amway Global-affiliated IBOs. Whether you're looking to reach a new qualification level, or grow your business within your existing one, September marks the start of an exciting, year-long journey. And that means preparation. Over the past couple of months, many of you lay the foundations for success — now you can start building it up, brick by brick.
So now I ask you, what preparations do you make for the new business year? Does it change the way you approach your business, or the manner in which you run it? And am I the only one who feels like September represents the real New Year?
As always, the comments are open! Feel free to share your thoughts…