Sola Adesakin 
We are four months away from the end of the year. For some, that feels like “too little time” to make a difference; for others, it feels like an opportunity to take charge and create a strong finish. The truth is, four months is plenty of time to multiply your results, shift your trajectory, and even transform your finances and personal growth.
The key is simple: planning ahead. When you plan and act deliberately, you give yourself the best possible position to achieve meaningful results. Without a plan, time slips away, distractions mount, and opportunities are missed. But with a clear structure—even one as simple as four focused steps—you can create momentum that carries you not only to the end of the year but also into the new one with confidence.
Here’s a simple accountability formula I call the 4x Plan—a method to help you make the last four months of the year count.
1. Form Your “Smash-It” Squad
Nothing accelerates growth like accountability. When you surround yourself with like-minded people who share your drive, you create an environment of encouragement and positive pressure. Find three people you trust and respect—friends, colleagues, or fellow entrepreneurs—and form a squad of four.
This “Smash-It” Squad becomes your support group for the rest of the year. Each person commits to the journey, and together, you create the energy to stay consistent. Think of it as a personal board of directors—cheering you on, checking in on your progress, and holding you accountable to the promises you make.
2. Set Four Big Goals
Once your squad is formed, each person must define one big goal for the rest of the year. Four people. Four goals. Four life-changing pursuits.
These goals should not be vague wishes like “do better” or “save more.” They need to be specific, measurable, and significant. For example:
Launch a new product or service.
Pay off a debt or save a set amount of money.
Complete a professional certification.
Improve fitness or wellness with a clear milestone.
Big goals energise you. They remind you that even in a short timeframe, you can make substantial progress if you stay focused.
3. Commit to Four Monthly Meetings
Accountability works best when it is consistent. The “Smash-It” Squad should meet once every month from now until year-end. Four meetings. That’s it.
Each meeting becomes a checkpoint to measure progress, celebrate wins, and troubleshoot setbacks. Did you achieve what you committed to last month? What lessons did you learn? What do you need to adjust?
These sessions don’t have to be formal—an in-person lunch, a video call, or even a group chat can work. The key is consistency. When you know your squad is expecting an update, you’re more likely to stay disciplined.
4. Create a Group Savings Target
Money is one of the clearest indicators of progress. To add a tangible layer to this formula, set a group target savings goal. For example, each member contributes a set amount monthly, and by year-end, you celebrate not just your individual achievements but also a collective financial milestone.
This creates a practical win and reminds everyone that discipline pays off—literally. Even a modest contribution per person builds momentum and cultivates a saving habit that can extend beyond the year.
The Result: Four Big Wins to Celebrate
By December, your squad will have achieved four major goals, held each other accountable through four consistent meetings, saved a meaningful sum together, and—most importantly—built a system for success.
The beauty of this formula lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t require complex tools or expensive resources. It requires only commitment, structure, and the willingness to rise together.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
Many people underestimate how much can be accomplished in a short period when effort is focused. Planning ahead positions you to use time intentionally rather than reactively. Instead of drifting through the rest of the year, hoping for things to “get better,” you’re creating a roadmap with milestones and accountability built in.
Think of it this way: the year may be winding down, but momentum is everything. Athletes don’t slow down before the finish line; they push harder, knowing that a strong finish often defines the entire race. The same principle applies to your personal and professional life.
With just four months left, you can 4x your money, growth, and results. Don’t waste it. Instead, plan, act, and surround yourself with people who will ensure you cross the line stronger than you started.
Sola Adesakin is a highly respected wealth coach and chartered accountant with over two decades of transformative impact in the finance industry. As the visionary founder of Smart Stewards Financial Advisory Limited and Smart Stewards Advisory LLC, she has revolutionised the financial wellbeing of countless individuals and businesses across 40 countries. Her methodical approach to ‘make-manage-multiply’ money principles has elevated many from financial stress to prosperity, and mediocrity to exceptional achievement.