Norton: With nine months to go, let’s go
It’s the end of March, and for many individuals and businesses, the first quarter didn’t quite go as planned. Goals were set with optimism and purpose back in January: fitness, revenue, personal growth, new skills and better habits. Yet here we are, three months in, and some of those goals are already collecting dust.
It happens. A slower start than expected can feel like a weight we now have to carry and catch up on. And that’s where the real danger begins, flawed thinking. Instead of redistributing the shortfall across the remaining months, many of us go into panic mode and try to cram all the unmet goals into the next few weeks. It’s a trap.
Let’s take a fitness example. Suppose someone sets out to lose 30 pounds this year. By the end of March, they’ve lost 3. That’s a tenth of the way there; not exactly off to the races. The common response? “I have to lose the next 27 pounds as fast as possible.” They triple their workouts, restrict their food to extremes, and set unrealistic goals, like losing 10 pounds in a month. And what happens? They burn out. They get discouraged. And often, they quit. “Maybe next year,” they say.
The same pattern shows up in business. A salesperson misses their Q1 quota. Leadership starts sounding the alarm. Panic meetings. Pressure builds. And the rep starts believing they must land one massive deal or have a record-breaking month just to get back on track. The pressure becomes paralyzing, and instead of fueling better performance, it leads to desperate decision-making or, worse, disengagement.
Here’s a healthier mindset: redistribute, don’t double down. Spread the shortfall out. Do the math. Missing a goal in Q1 isn’t a death sentence, it just means adjusting the plan for Q2, Q3, and Q4. And if you lead a team, communicate that. Normalize the adjustment. Make resilience a core part of your culture.
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Think of it this way: If a flight from New York to Los Angeles gets slightly off course, the pilot doesn’t try to bank hard and get back on track in the next 60 seconds. That’d be reckless. Instead, they make small adjustments over time to arrive safely. You can too.
Of course, there are moments when we catch a great wave. Momentum is strong. Deals are closing. Progress is visible. Those are great moments, but they’re not the only ones that define our journey. Sometimes, we miss the wave. We fall behind. That doesn’t mean the ride is over.
The truth is, we’re all navigating a lot right now. Global events, economic uncertainty, shifting buyer behaviors, and new technologies are changing how we think, live and work. These aren’t excuses. They’re realities. And they reinforce the need to lead ourselves and our teams with both urgency and grace.
So what’s the next move? Take inventory. Recalibrate. Adjust your forecast, your habits, and your daily disciplines. Stop trying to make up for three months in three days. That’s not heroic, it’s self-sabotage. What is heroic is choosing to stay in the game. Choosing to keep moving, lead, sell and grow, even if progress looks a little slower than you wanted.
Success isn’t linear. It rarely shows up on schedule. But it always favors those who stay in pursuit.
So whether you’re leading a company, a sales team, or just trying to be a better version of yourself, redistribute your energy, stay focused on the long game, and don’t let a slow start steal a strong finish.
Let’s go!
How about you? Are you one of those who are on track and staying the course? Have you drifted slightly off course and just need a little redirection? Or is it time to reevaluate and redistribute the shortfall on your goals? As always I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com and when we can be resilient, never giving up on our biggest goals and dreams, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
