There’s something about September that brings a renewed sense of urgency. The kids are back in school. Vacations are behind us. And suddenly, the end of the year doesn’t feel so far away.

For business professionals, September can also be a valuable moment to take a step back and ask a question that’s easy to avoid when you’re caught up in the day-to-day:

Am I where I want to be this year?

Maybe the answer is yes. If so, congratulations—and keep going.

But if you’re looking at your goals, your sales numbers, your team, or your business plan and thinking, “I should be further along by now,” don’t ignore that feeling. There is still time to make meaningful progress.

In my nearly 50 years working with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations, I’ve learned that success rarely comes from simply working harder. It comes from knowing where you want to go, identifying what is standing in your way, and taking the right actions consistently.

That’s where a business coach can make a tremendous difference.

A good coach doesn’t step in because you’ve failed. In fact, some of the most successful professionals I’ve worked with seek coaching precisely because they don’t want to waste time figuring everything out on their own.

They want an experienced perspective. They want someone who will challenge their thinking, help them identify opportunities, provide practical strategies, and—perhaps most importantly—hold them accountable for taking action.

Whether you’re a business owner trying to increase revenue, a sales professional looking to improve your results, or a leader navigating growth, September is an ideal time to take stock and make a plan for the months ahead.

Here are three signs that you may benefit from a conversation with a business coach:

1. You aren’t meeting your metrics.

At the beginning of the year, you (hopefully) created a business plan, set milestones, and mapped out the daily actions you need to execute to bring your goals to fruition.

But more than halfway through the year, you just aren’t hitting your targets. Perhaps you’re having difficulty generating enough quality leads, or your closing rates are disappointing, or maybe business has been steady but you aren’t sure how to break through to the next level.

Consistently putting forth a committed effort without seeing the fruit of your labor can be stressful, exhausting, and disheartening.

If you feel like you’re underperforming or have hit a wall, it’s time to speak with a business development expert. I teach my Celeste Giordano Coaching clients a proven system for consistently generating high-quality leads and closing more sales.

Mid-way through the year, I meet one-on-one with each client for a comprehensive business review. After evaluating what’s working, what isn’t, and why, we modify the clients’ strategies to get back on track for success.

2. You want to save time and/or money.

If saving money is your biggest priority, it says something about the revenue that’s coming in the door; namely that there isn’t enough of it. Some professionals know they need guidance, but avoid hiring a business coach out of concerns about the cost. If you’re already struggling to cover your expenses, it can feel difficult to justify an additional expense.

But the truth is that hiring the right business coach will save you money in the long run. Running a business inefficiently and ineffectively is an expensive endeavor. An experienced coach will share strategies to help you generate consistent sales and increase profits—the key to any successful business.

If saving time is priority number one for you, a coach will also help you avoid time-wasting mistakes as well as maximize your efficiency as you grow your business.

3. You know what you need to do, but you aren’t doing it.

Some professionals I work with know which action steps they need to take to achieve results in their business. And yet, month after month goes by without making real progress.

Knowing what to do but struggling to stay focused and actually follow through can result in guilt and disappointment. You know the feeling if you have ever asked yourself questions like:

• “What’s wrong with me?”
• “Am I even cut out for this?”
• “Why can’t I ever follow through?”

It’s easy to assume you’re just “lazy,” but the truth is, all you need is accountability – someone to hold your feet to the fire and ensure you do what you say you’re going to do.

It’s important to remember that this is not a personal failing. Most people can’t grow a thriving business without someone consistently checking in and holding them accountable.

Don’t underestimate the value of accountability. For many, it’s a powerful catalyst for growth and profitability!

It’s not too late to reach your goals this year!

If you have a vision of where you want to be and you’re not there yet, working with an experienced business coach is the most expedient way to get focused on what concrete, practical steps you need to take daily to reach your goals.

If you are willing to take action, do the work, and maintain an open mind and heart, working with an expert business consultant will translate to results.

I am passionate about helping driven, committed professionals create thriving and sustainable legacy businesses. If you want to regroup, get laser focused, and “double plus” your income THIS year (yes, it’s still possible), contact me today.

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business professionals develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus™” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with more than 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams. To learn more about Celeste, click here. Want to use this article? Please feel free to use this content as long as you keep it in its original format and include a link to the original post and Celeste Giordano’s brief bio.