“I’ve never seen so many new pairs of shoes in my life” I told my son as he slumped into the car after his first day of school. The teenagers lurching by were decked out in their first-day-of-school finest.
I’ve long said that “Back to School” season is a second New Year’s Eve. We put away the beach towels, travel gear, or camp tee-shirts. We stuff school bags, get out the jackets and prepare for a fresh start and a new school year.
Even if you aren’t directly involved in getting someone back to school (or going back yourself), the feelings are still there.
A change in rhythm. The sun’s angles a bit different. Even trees send a new message through scent and color.
Before you sigh and think “back to the grind”, take a moment and see the change for what it could be.
Feel the turn of the page and the possibilities it brings.
1. What’s important for you this season?
2. How do you want to show up?
3. What are you NOT going to accomplish this year?
You’ve got about 8 - 10 weeks as everything slows at the end of the year, wrapping up 2025.
1. What’s important this season?
Instead of focusing on *goals*, consider the full picture of what you *need to take care of*. Some seasons we have to hold our goals along with a sick parent, a child struggling, financial stress or more. So zoom out to remember what’s most important for your health, for your family and community AND work.
2. How do you want to show up?
If there’s a lot depending on you, how are you planning to show up? Pushing until you are burned out? Carving out rest times? Promising yourself treats along the way? We’re encouraged to just PUSH THROUGH. Keep your head down and keep going. If you’re tired, irritable, making poor decisions, you might get it all done, but at a dear cost. SO DON’T DO THAT. Where can you build in support so you can show up as a good leader?
3. What are you NOT going to accomplish?
Look at your list. Take some things off the list. Cross off a few more things. C’mon, cross off another one. What’s on there that doesn’t really need to be finished this year (or isn’t going to be finished anyway)? Perhaps you can establish a milestone for reasonable progress without pressuring yourself to finish December 31.
Communicate any changes to folks who need to know. Book those breaks. Set up how you plan to track your progress.
Now you have right-sized targets for the upcoming weeks, clarity about how you’ll show up, and plan for the support you need. Mark your progress weekly so if you need to adjust or you find yourself off track, you can get back on course.
Rooting for you,
Courtney
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