6. More signaling from Fed officials via "forward guidance"
Lawson said he believes all the factors swirling around the Fed's decision demands clearer communication from officials. More speeches before the Dec. 15-16 meeting could help signal that the Fed is serious about a rate hike this year.
"I would definitely expect a very clear statement from somebody close to Yellen in November if that was still a strong possibility that they're raising," Lawson said. "The only other way that the market is going to adjust is if the data is really strong."
Already on the agenda: Fed Vice Chair Stanley Fischer speaks Nov. 4.