As the season changes from summer into fall, it seems like no one has time to spare. We’re all busy, whether that is with kids going back to school, programs and commitments starting up again, or facing projects that need to be completed by year end. We can all expect our calendars to only get more crowded in the coming weeks.
However, just because things are getting busier doesn’t mean we can’t have a productive and focused mindset. Let’s explore 3 practical tips for leaders to start the new season strong and refocus this fall.
1. Take Control of Your Calendar
When we add a new reminder, appointment, or intention to our calendar, we don’t get to add more hours to the day. It’s very likely that if we add something, we need to take something off.
This means that leaders need to take control of their calendars by reprioritizing their commitments. Take time to figure out what things are most important, and consider what may need to be moved to make room. The new addition could be a recurring calendar invitation that is getting added to your day. Other times it’s a new personal goal like practicing self-care with an outdoor walk or journaling. In order to incorporate that new item into your fall routine, you may need to say no to something else.
2. Re-Prioritize Your Goals Before Year-End
The entrance of a new season is the perfect time to ask yourself: What is really doable between now and the end of the year? With that in mind, what things need to come off your to-do list? Think critically and be realistic.
Ask yourself, and then your team: We have four months left in the calendar year. What can we accomplish? Which things really need to be accomplished? What items can shift further into the future? In practicing this exercise, you may also identify to-dos that are no longer relevant, impactful, or valuable to your personal or professional life. Leaders, it’s okay to let those things go.
3. Choose to Focus on the Good
The fall season can quickly become busy, busy, busy. For leaders, it’s easy to focus on the rush to get things done, and for some of us this causes anxiety, fear, or exhaustion. Pause to reframe your situation. Even in the busyness, choose to focus on only good things. Yes, this upcoming fall may require a lot of hard work. But that hard work will bring positive opportunities in the future. Choose to refocus this fall on the good.
Consider writing these good things down on a post-it note by your computer monitor. Or try adding a standing calendar reminder on Fridays: What was one good thing this week? Leaders, take this challenge to your team meeting: Who can share a good thing that has happened in the last month? What we feed ourselves—what our thoughts dwell on— is what we believe. This doesn’t mean we don’t address bad things, but we choose to keep a positive mindset when we consider how to address a challenge.
All of these refocus areas have come up in recent coaching sessions with our clients. We know that all leaders are facing these challenges of entering a new season—so know you are not alone! If you are interested in how a coaching experience can grow your leadership and communication skills, check out our Lead to the Max!® coaching offerings here.
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