The end of August is an odd time of year. People tend to get out of sync. Some of us are still in full summertime mode, heading out on vacations, taking Summer Fridays and soaking up the season. Others are already moving into fall, digging into work and looking ahead to Q4.
By September, though, we’ll all be on the same page: firmly planted in autumn. Before the crush of the winter holidays and year-end stress sets in, we get a few months to focus on moving things forward.
Let’s talk about the obstacles and opportunities coming up this fall—and the time management strategies that will help you stay in control of your time and your life.
Five Things Coming Up This Fall
1. People are getting locked in for Q4.
This is the time when we’re all looking closely at our business goals and time management priorities for the rest of the year. You’re looking at everything and noticing the things that need to be prioritized over the next several months. Your clients, your team and your network are probably doing the same thing. Everyone’s looking at what’s left of the year and thinking: how can I make the most of this time to achieve my goals before the end of December?
Strategies to prepare:
Now’s the time to address the lingering productivity challenges that keep you from maximizing your limited time. Your clients and prospective clients are looking for services that will help them achieve their goals efficiently before year-end. You want to be positioned to provide that help. Get into a routine with your daily and weekly planning so you’re on top of things while getting clear about how you need to prioritize your time.
2. Weather or illness might disrupt your plans.
Extreme weather is just a routine part of life in the U.S. at this point. For this fall specifically, forecasters warn that we’re on track for an “above-normal” Atlantic hurricane season. Flooding and power losses could affect workflow and productivity for people who live in areas hit hard by storms. Storms or early snowfall could also affect your travel and personal plans this fall. COVID levels are also rising, and flu season is coming.
Strategies to prepare:
Move into fall acknowledging that weather and illness are likely to cause disruptions for your own schedule, or for the schedules of your clients and team. Build flexibility into your daily and weekly plans so you can easily pivot to other high-priority work when meetings get canceled. Look ahead to the “big rocks” in your schedule; the deadlines and time-sensitive projects coming up in the next several weeks. What can you do now to kind of front load work on those projects, so you’re not scrambling if you get knocked out by a nasty virus right ahead of a big deadline?
3. Fall fun will be happening around you – but the window closes quickly.
Autumn consistently tops lists of Americans’ favorite seasons. Even if it’s not your favorite, there are at least a few things you enjoy doing in the fall, right? But this season flies by. By the time the summer heat fades, we might only get a month of weather that looks and feels like autumn before it turns colder. Rainy days can also derail some of your outdoor plans. If you only give yourself one opportunity to go apple picking or join a tailgate party, what happens if it gets rained out?
Strategies to prepare:
Create a quick must-do list for fall. What are the non-work activities that are highest priority for you during this season? What would you be disappointed to miss out on? Reach out to friends or family you want to do those things with and start making tentative plans. Find a few dates and times that your loved ones are available and pencil in some blocks of time to spend together. Finalize specific plans once you know the forecast.
4. Distractions are going to be a barrier to good time management and productivity.
No, that’s not unique to fall. Distractions are a perennial challenge. But transitioning to a new season means new routines. Distractions steal your limited time – time that you really need right now, as you’re digging in for a super productive fall.
Strategies to prepare:
Stay alert to the distractions that are most likely to pull you off course. Is it social media or your favorite new outlet? Certain games or websites? The people or pets around you? Notice the things that pull you out of productivity. For example: If you’re consciously aware that you’re going to lose 15 minutes to Instagram every time you open it, it gets harder to justify opening it when you’re already busy.
5. Next year is going to start feeling really real.
If you haven’t yet started business planning for 2026, you’re probably going to start soon. Your clients and team will be doing the same. Now’s your opportunity to do some of the deeper, big-picture planning that you don’t always have time for in the busy day-to-day.
Strategies to prepare:
Use your calendar to help you feel clear and confident about next year. Schedule a little time every week when your only duty is to take yourself out for a coffee or go for a walk and think about next year. There’s a lot that you can’t predict or plan on just yet, but you can brainstorm and strategize about the broad strokes.
- What could be possible for your business next year?
- What do you want to do less of?
- What do you want more of?
- How do you want to use your time?
Give yourself time to think through various what-if scenarios so you feel at least somewhat prepared for whatever comes next.
Let’s Talk About Time Management Strategies That Will Actually Work For Your Life This Fall.
“I know what I want to get done, but I just can’t figure out how to actually knuckle down and get it done.”
Does that sound like you?
Even the smartest and most accomplished professionals and business owners struggle with time management. They just don’t have the structure or know-how to make the behavior changes that allow them to implement time management systems that will actually work for them every day.
I can help. Schedule a no-cost Strategy Session and we’ll talk one on one about what’s possible for you, how we can help, and get you clear on your next best move to get a grip on your time. Click here to request your free Strategy Session.
Be well,
Sarah
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