When you look at your goals for this year, the outlook looks bleak.

Those targets that seemed achievable and realistic are now distant. You had a game plan. So what happened ?

Nine months have gone by so fast. And it is already quarter four. Your inner critic is already writing this year off as a loss. It is telling you, “let’s forget this year and look toward 2026.”

I similarly had personal goals, some which have been attained and others yet to come to fruition.

Yet we only need to look to the past and be inspired. History is littered with last-minute miracles that nobody saw coming.

Some might be already mentally checking out and holding on for the holidays. This is precisely when the men are separated from the boys, or when the women are separated from the girls.

Let me share three examples when giants rose from the ashes and turned their story around.

Apple

In 1997, Apple was hemorrhaging money and had a short window until it would not be to pay bills. The tech press was already writing the obituary.  This is when Steve Jobs returned. And by the next quarter, everything changed. Apple sparked a late-1997 turnaround that would transform it into the world’s most valuable company.

Sometimes your biggest breakthrough comes disguised as your darkest hour. In this case, one of the founding members of the business, knew what was best to save the business.

Interpretation:

Do you have old guards in your business, who you are leaving on the sidelines. Maybe they can contribute and inject some zeal and experience into your business ?

Marvel

Marvel Entertainment filed for bankruptcy in 1996. Fortunately, in 1997,  the management decided to diversify and change its approach. From the ashes of near-failure, a multi-billion-dollar cinematic universe was subsequently born.

Interpretation:

In your own business, are there possible opportunities where revenue can be made ? Do not look at only your cash cow. Let us look at the siblings of the cow as well. There might be other products which would do the trick for you. You just need to give them that let boost, investment and attention.

Stephen Kiprotich

At the 2012 London Olympics marathon, nobody was talking about Kiprotich. Even though everyone expected Kenya and Ethiopia to dominate as usual, no one had their eyes on him. Kiprotich made his move to sprint forward near the end of the race. He broke away from favored Kenyans Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang to secure a victory. He became only Uganda’s second-ever Olympic gold medalist, beating a world-class field.

Interpretation:

Your competition underestimates you at this point of the year. This is the right moment to burst into the lead.

Here is your fourth quarter plan

90 days can change everything. While your competitors are coasting toward December 31st, you can be building momentum that carries into next year.

Start with an audit

What’s actually working? What’s dead weight? Sometimes the path forward requires strategic elimination.

Double down on your winning formula

It might be

• that small win in Q2 you’ve been neglecting
• or that client relationship that’s shown promise
• or that skill you’ve been developing on the side

Repeat the winning formulas which worked at different points in the year.

Conclusion

It has been said so many times, yet still let me repeat it.

“The most successful people aren’t those who never fail—they’re the ones who refuse to quit. “

Your January goals aren’t dead; they’re just waiting for their fourth-quarter comeback story.

It is not over- it is showtime.