Make friends with September

Some people like September. New school year, a welcome respite from the heat, first signs of leaves changing colour. Expanded wardrobe options.

I’m not one of those people.

I run my life on the calendar year and September is my boogey month. For this African kid, heat is something I embrace, not seek respite from. There’s the undeniable shortening of the days (boo!). Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas too far away to get excited about. After the calm of slow summer mornings, the chaos of getting kids off to school with matching shoes and the right bags returns with a vengeance.

What is September good for? It’s not close enough to see the end, too far enough from the beginning to stay excited. As someone who’s always been better at starting things than finishing them (yeah, shock horror), September is obsessed with self-examination and bullshit-calling; I, on the other hand, favour inception and cheer-leading.

I’m learning, though, to embrace September. Sure, it‘s not vivacious like July — with its heat and festivals and holidays — but it is more likely to help you take stock of things. Summer’s August is too loud and busy and distracting to do that properly. In September, the “data” is real. The victories achieved are undeniable. And with the failures, there’s still more than 25% of the year left to do something about it. September, you see, is smart like that.

I’m determined to embrace September this year. To take stock of my own dreams and ideas and plans. Let September call bullshit on me. Like my plan to read two books a month (I’ve averaged 0.5). Or my ambition to really discuss the future of creativity with three leaders from outside our industry (I’ve managed one). Or our plans for our business (some done, many in progress, maybe a few not gonna happen now?).

The thing is, September is a like a good friend in that way. Because it tells me these things while there is still time to do something about it. September values people, reminds me to say “how are you?”, or “thank you” or “sorry” while there’s still time. It encourages me to filter, and decide which parts of the dream are failing because of hubris and which ones are failing because I need to shape up, get back on that horse, try again, try harder.

September is the kind of friend who pulls you aside and quietly talks to you about your better self; reminds you to do what you said you would, come to terms with your failures, make peace with the people you’ve failed.

The implications of this for business are obvious. To refine plans, double down on them, reset relationships, launch one final push.

But to be honest, I’m thinking about this from a personal point of view more than anything this morning. Having held it at arms length for so long, I’m learning to embrace September. She’s a real friend.

With a few weeks before she disappears for another year, I hope you can make that friend too.