September is often thought of as a “second new year” as the weather cools and kids head back to school; our routines shift and new schedules make September feel like a new start. It is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the kind of life you really want. What did summer reveal to you about how you want to live, work and feel as we head into the busiest season of the year?
What Can We Learn?
As I look back and think about the summer, I am looking for the learning. No, learning is not the right word. I think it is more about finding the lessons and to learn from them. For example, what recharges me, or drains me? What do I need more of or less of? You get the idea.
I remember the heat and the humidity (here in the northeast we call it HHH – hazy, hot and humid). It definitely limited my outdoor activity and I felt the weather was at times, holding me hostage. My routines were inconsistent, and my newly retired significant other was flinging his very ingrained routines out the window. (There is definitely an adjustment to this new phase.)
There was time for some travel, fun and family activities as well as, home maintenance and landscape projects to complete. I discovered that projects often take much more time than you think even if someone else is doing the work. The lesson here, is don’t waste the summer on landscape projects.
What did you notice about your summer?
Questions to Consider
- What do you wish you had more (or less) of?
- When did you feel the most energized and happy?
- What did you learn about your boundaries (consider your time, energy, commitments, etc.)
- Did you spend your time on what is important to you?
- What insights have you gained from reflecting on your summer?
How to Turn Your Insights in to Action
Reflecting brings awareness about what is truly important to you and what is not. And awareness is often the first step to creating change. So, if you noticed for example, that you liked the slower pace of summer or having fewer commitments, then your next step would be to figure out how to turn your new awareness into action. Perhaps, creating new structures or routines to protect those boundaries or taking time to really consider the “cost” of taking on something before committing to it. You decide.
September is an opportunity to reset – not by making “resolutions” or setting unrealistic goals, but by choosing what matters and letting go of what doesn’t. Simple, small changes or tweaks often make the biggest differences.
In coaching the three steps of Awareness, Action and Learning can help transform your awareness, a step at a time into the life you envision. Coaching can guide you into designing “your roadmap” to that life.