I can still remember Labor Day as a child. The faded smell of chlorine in my hair from a weekend of swimming, playing outside on the front lawn with my friends, neighbors gathered together in the backyard and the distinct feeling of change in the air. I relished the bittersweet feeling of summer passing. The season’s slow tempo was suddenly outdated by the anticipation and busyness of a new school year.

I still love Labor Day for all of those reasons. If anything, my enthusiasm for what some call a “meaningless” holiday has grown since I’ve had children of my own. Not because my kids are now experiencing the same things I did … no. Although that’s nice, let’s be honest: Now I just want them to go back to school so I can find my groove again.

By the way, Labor Day is not just a meaningless holiday. It celebrates the courage of the labor movement and the ways in which the work of the people have contributed to the health and prosperity of our nation. I’d also like to suggest that Labor Day is the new New Year’s Day.

That’s right. A do-over. A time to start fresh.

I might argue that Labor Day is even better for resolutions and goals than New Year’s because you only have to change a habit for less than one-third of the year. That’s a more reasonable time frame than an entire year, plus you have an incentive to end the year right. It’s perfect for those of us who procrastinate.

If you’re ready to take action in your life, put your stake in the ground and make your mark in (the latter part of) 2015, here are the steps you need to take:

1. Identify what’s achievable.

Don’t think back to the dreams and desires you had at the beginning of the year. Focus on the here and now. What is one thing, that when accomplished, would make you happy with how you progressed in 2015?

Focus on that. Maybe it’s hitting the gym regularly. Maybe it’s improving your diet to eat more vegetables and less packaged food. Maybe it’s having a glass of wine every other day versus every day. Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to do it all. Pick one thing.

2. Focus on the process — not the outcome.

Notice all of my examples are processes — not outcomes — that will help you achieve whatever outcomes you pick. I call these “process goals” versus “outcome goals.”

Maybe the outcome is fitting into a pair of jeans you haven’t worn in months or years. Maybe it’s is signing up and finishing a 5K or 10K in your city. Simply identify what’s achievable and work on the processes that will get you there.

3. Create a plan around your sticking point.

Now, take a good hard look at the resolution you chose. What’s the one thing that will most likely keep you from achieving your goal? Ask yourself if that will be the same or different in the fall. For me, the summer is more challenging with eating well and exercising consistently since our girls are out of school. Eating well can take a back burner to spontaneous get-togethers with friends; exercising regularly depends on child care.

Make a plan for overcoming the barriers. Write down that plan. Make a back-up plan. And another. Life happens. You need to be prepared for your plan to fail from time to time. Your backup plan will fail too. Stay flexible, and keep working on making your new habit part of the new schedule and lifestyle.

4. Use the season as an opportunity.

I once had a mentor tell me that every moment is an opportunity to start again and make the better choice. I believe that to be true, but there is also something to be said for a hard start and end date. Take advantage of the momentum that’s provided when elements such as the temperature and school schedules are naturally shifting in your life. Life will be different anyway, so why not commit to that morning run?

Ask a friend, spouse or neighbor to join you for your walk or run — like you, they’ll also appreciate and benefit from the accountability. Already do that? Consider preparing your lunch the night before when you’re packing the kids’ lunches anyway.

I can tell you from personal experience that part of our new routine is combining clean up from dinner with packing lunch for our first-grader. This way, when the kitchen is “closed,” all related tasks are truly done. Trust me when I say it makes a world of difference in the morning, when we’re all getting ready to go our separate directions, get out the door and make sure we’re on time.

This Labor Day, consider a labor of love for yourself. Choose to work on something that will contribute to your health and prosperity. Finish the year strong by reframing New Year’s resolutions into a concentrated focus of effort in one area. After all, don’t you deserve to benefit from your labor?

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Labor Day Is the New New Year’s Day originally appeared on usnews.com