September is the new January - Why now is the perfect time to reset your goals and strategy

With the summer bank holiday now behind us, the children stuck between the end of holiday clubs and the start of school, and more and more people wondering why they're still turning up when everyone else is off on holiday, things have that strange, 'week before Christmas' feel to them.

But just around the corner we have one of my favourite parts of the year.

An autumnal scene at Harewood House, signifying change — Solid goals and a good strategy need to adapt to change

The run between September and the end of the year is always a bustling, busy time. As we enter it, now is the perfect time to check in with where you are, work out how to focus your energy for the next few months, and get yourself ready to take on the rest of 2022. Throughout this blog I’m going to take you through five steps to a happy and successful Q4.

Revisit your strategy and ambitions for the year NOW

How many times have you checked in with your plan for the year, since you created it?

A compass, used to navigate on a bearing, aligned with north — It pays to regularly check in with your business strategy

Are you where you wanted to be? What have you achieved so far? How far is left to go? Does it still make sense? Have you already changed direction? If so, do you know where you're going now?

We often make the mistake of looking at strategy and planning as a one-off exercise – the New Year’s Resolution curse. Really though, your strategy it's changing all the time, and should be functioning like a flexible roadmap with opportunities for you to regularly check in. Check in with your plan now, and adjust it if you’re not feeling confident about reaching your goals by the end of the year.

Celebrate the wins

When we're climbing the mountain, it's easy to get fixated on the path and looming climb ahead - how far there is still to go, how we wish we'd already covered more ground, and we seem to be getting nowhere.

But it really pays to stop, turn around and look just how far you've come.

A woman looking back at Griesdale, surveying how far she has come — When focussing on strategy, stop and assess how far you have come

It's natural to look at all the stuff you HAVEN'T done that you were supposed to, but don't forget to look at everything you've achieved. Spend some time this week reflecting on all of the positive things you’ve achieved throughout the year so far, and celebrate them by treating yourself to something nice, or an afternoon off!

Don't panic (but be honest with yourself)

There's still a lot of time to cover between now and the end of the year, so if you've got a lot still to squeeze in, don't panic!

How can you take a bit more control of your action plan without ending up having a mid-year crisis?

Now is a good time to be proactive and prioritise what you want to achieve this year. The fact that you’ve already evaluated what is left on your list to accomplish, it’s time to strategise. The tasks on your list that you need other people’s input into – start these conversations. The tasks on your list you need to upskill in order to complete – is this realistic or do you need some help? Are there things on that list which you don’t actually need to do in order to feel like you’ve reached you goals?

Fine tune your to do list and start chipping away.

Plan in moments of calm and creativity

It's so easy to launch out of the blocks in September, and then throw yourself at work until you burn out. Accept that you're not going to be able to sustain a high pace throughout the next few months, and make sure you prioritise rest.

Similarly, it pays to schedule in some ring-fenced time to work ON your business (even if it's only a monthly check-in on your plan and strategy).

A mother and two children looking out at a calm Crummock Water near sunset in the Lake District — Plan in some time to rest and reflect

Give yourself a personal challenge to work towards

I know, we're not all excited about the end of the holidays. If you are struggling to get motivated again, or you're feeling a bit flat, plan in something big to work towards.

A new challenge can be the catalyst to reignite your drive, and give you a sense of purpose and achievement that permeates everything else you do.

If you can’t think of a challenge, or are struggling to motivate yourself to launch one, then I may just have the solution. I am going to be venturing into the wilderness of Yorkshire to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, raising funds for Leeds Mind. I am looking for volunteers to join me.

Sound up your street? Check it out here:

Find out More >

A sign post on the Yorkshire Three Peaks path, pointing towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale, with Pen-y-Ghent in the background — Challenge yourself by joining me on our Yorkshire Three Peaks charity challenge, in support of Leeds Mind

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Hi, I’m Ant…

I offer guided adventures and walkshops, for individuals and teams, to get people out of the office, and into the outdoors, giving you the time, space and inspiration to spark extraordinary thinking in extraordinary landscapes.