I felt great on holiday this year, not just because I was on holiday (which always gives me that feel-good factor), but because I had all my social media posts scheduled, blogs written, and client tasks completed before I went away. It meant I could truly relax, and if I’m honest, feel a little smug about it.
But I don’t know about you… I always have to actively get myself back into routine after a holiday. If you feel the same, you’re not alone. This time, I needed something to get me ready for the next season (is it too early to mention the “C” word?).
Maybe you’ve had the kids at home all summer, enjoyed too many BBQs, or had one too many late-night G&Ts. So, as we step out of summer mode, sit back, grab a cuppa, and let’s get ready for autumn.
Reflect Before You Reset
Before we dive into creating the next season, let’s celebrate the joys of summer. You might have mixed feelings right now. On one hand, you did lots of lovely things and made special memories. On the other, you probably slipped out of rhythm and let some tasks slide.
Let’s move the guilt to one side and instead:
- Celebrate the special moments we had
- Acknowledge what we did accomplish
It’s so easy to focus on the negatives. Our brains are actually programmed to do this. But before shifting gears into autumn, take a moment to reflect:
- What did you enjoy most about summer?
- What special memories did you make, and with whom?
- What did you achieve in your business and personal life?
Pause here. Write them down. Own them. Once you’ve reflected, you’ll be ready to look ahead… and what better milestone than Christmas?
Create a Goal for Christmas
I know it feels too early to be talking about Christmas, but soon the shelves will be stacked with festive chocolates, decorations will be everywhere, and you’ll hear “All I Want for Christmas” on repeat. It’s only 16 weeks away… which is the perfect timeframe to set a goal.
Ask yourself: by Christmas, what do you want to have, feel, or achieve? Who do you want to be by then?
Here are some prompts to guide you:
- What do you want to be celebrating as your biggest win of the year?
- How do you want to feel? Energised, proud, calm, accomplished…
- Which area of your life or business needs the most attention in the next 16 weeks?
- If nothing changes, how will you feel when the year ends?
- What’s one habit you could restart or strengthen now that would make the biggest difference?
- Is there something you want to let go of before the year ends (stress, clutter, debt, inconsistency)?
Picture yourself finishing work for Christmas feeling proud and ready for 2026; what happened between September and December to make that true?
Now break the 16 weeks into smaller blocks; monthly or even four-week sprints. Create smaller goals for each one. Ask yourself:
- What skills do I need to build?
- Who do I need to talk to?
- Who do I need to work with?
- What consistent actions do I need to do?
- What occasional actions could I take to push me closer towards my goals?
And once your goal is clear, it’s time to rebuild your routine to support it.
Reset Your Routine
Consistency wins. It’s better to take small actions each day than random actions once in a while. So think carefully about:
- What worked well before summer that you want to keep?
- What didn’t work, that you don’t need anymore?
- What new habits could you introduce?
Some ideas:
- Meal planning
- Daily exercise
- Spending time outdoors
- Focus hours for deep work
- Making time for yourself
Of course, setting routines is one thing, sticking to them is another. That’s where accountability comes in.
Keep Yourself Accountable
Right now you might feel motivated. But what about when it’s dark, cold, and everything feels harder? What happens when sh*t hits the fan, or when you hit a roadblock?
Accountability is what keeps goals alive. Maybe that’s with a coach, mentor, or a friend who checks in with you. Keep challenges in mind when you plan. Think about half-term holidays, busy work periods, and the lead-up to Christmas. Build flexibility into your plan.
Reflect and adapt each week:
- What’s working?
- What’s not working?
- What needs adjusting?
And celebrate your progress along the way. It’s easy to fixate on what’s not working, or on how slow progress feels. But small, consistent steps add up. Businesses rarely explode overnight — they grow steadily, with persistence.
And all of this leads us back to the bigger picture: the way you want to feel at Christmas.
Your Next Step
So let’s go back to that Christmas moment. You’ve finished work for the year. How do you feel? What did you achieve? How are you stepping into 2026?
It’s not about perfection. It’s about taking small actions every day toward your goal.
You might be tempted to think, “I’ll do this at some point…” But that “some day” is today. Take a few minutes now to set your Christmas goal. The next 16 weeks will fly by.
And if you’d like support staying accountable between now and Christmas…
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