June, July & August are ideally the warmest and longest days of the year. This is the period to keep tending your crop of ideas and tasks, keeping them fed and watered on a regular basis so they grow and thrive.
People’s behaviour changes in the summer and your planning needs to take this into account. For example, mobile usage goes up as more people are out and about. If your business is online, then make sure your sites and access to them is mobile friendly. Summer is a sociable time and your potential consumer is more cheerful and more willing to interact. Even if your business is not seasonal you need to adjust your planning to reflect changes in behaviour and to accommodate potential spikes in buying triggered by good weather.
A lot of what you plan at this time of year (Winter) will need to be revised as you reach the six-month point. An effective business is a responsive one. Don’t be disheartened if things have changed; adapt and change with circumstances. Your core ideas and plans will be coming into flower and bearing fruit in the summer months. Some details will be different and that’s fine as long as you analyse their impact and adjust accordingly.
Adjust and adapt during summer
There may be some time for taking some time out to check and reflect on how things are coming along. If anything is looking sickly pay it extra attention or if it turns out there are weeds pull it out and get rid of it. Take the pulse of how things are being received and consumed, making alterations where necessary.
“Once something has outlived its usefulness in one area of life, its purpose for being in existence is no longer the same. The leaf that captures a stream of sunlight, and then transfers its energy to the tree, serves one purpose in the spring and summer, and another completely different one through the fall and winter.” – Guy Finley
The purpose of planning in ‘Winter’ is not to be so fixed and rigid that you cannot adapt. Your winter plan sets out a framework but life and business are notorious for throwing curve balls. An idea that seemed workable in January may simply not have survived the light of summer. You need to be a bit ruthless as the gardener is with weeds. Don’t let old thinking choke the growth of new ideas that are flourishing.
While still maintaining your nurturing actions also be careful to listen. Listen and assess advice, criticism and decide how, or if, this is going to change your mind or affect how you will reach your long-term goal. It is a bit of a juggling act, but you always need to have one eye looking back assessing and one eye looking forward on the future.
Summer sun shines a light on your success
Most plans made in Winter fail because they are either too ambitious or the planner loses heart at the first sign of failure. Summer is the time when your plans should be coming good and you will be very aware if they are working or not. However, setbacks are just that- a step back, not an end. There may be the occasional downpour, a flash flood even, but stick by your core ideals and keep revising your strategy and you will succeed. Einstein said…
Failure is success in progress
…and the key word here is progress. The seasons are inexorable but they always move forward. Winter’s cold turns to Spring’s growth; Spring’s shoots become full grown plants in Summer and the leaves eventually turn and fall as Autumn arrives. Your business is part of this cycle and will move forward as you adapt and recognise each change.
The summer shines a hot light on everything; it shows the dust on your windows; it can be harsh on the skin. It also warms us to the core and brings a lightness to our steps and a smile to our faces. Take advantage of the increased positivity of this month and recharge your “happy hormones” as store for the coming winter. In your business planning include some time out for yourself- a summer break away from the business. As business owners and entrepreneurs, we often forget to nurture ourselves; our energy is so focused on the business itself.
In the cold of January when planning your summer months add a smile to your plan- this is what you are working towards- some time to enjoy the ideas flourishing and the sun shining on your success.