September Reset: Reflect, Realign, and Move Forward with Intention

Driving to a retreat in Hungary, 2021.

September is here, and in most countries, the new school year has just begun or is about to start. More than half the year is behind us. Vacation is over, and you might feel the urge to dive straight into your ever-growing task list: unanswered emails, calls and messages, follow-ups from missed meetings, parent-teacher conferences, the running race your child signed you up for, upcoming business trips, and more.

This. Is. Stressful.

But does it have to be?

What if, this time, you did things differently? Instead of immediately jumping into the work whirlwind, take a day off - for yourself.

I know this sounds counterproductive when your to-do list feels longer than ever, but bear with me. What if you used this day to look back on the past months - January through August 2025 - and reflect on your successes? Note what you’ve learned, organize your thoughts and notes, and then look ahead: Are your plans for September to December still realistic? Do you need to adjust or refine anything?

If you feel guilty about taking a day for yourself, you’re not alone. Many of my clients struggle with the same thoughts - especially those used to being “the reliable one” at work and at home. Remember, rest and reflection are investments in your future resilience.

Goals and plans are important - but life changes, and so do we. We need to stay flexible and agile, resilient to changes, and open to new opportunities.

Are you ready?

Let’s Get Started

It’s early September, which means there are still four months left in the year. If you want to slow down a bit for the holidays and the end of the year, now is the time to be smart and intentional - prepare yourself and your work, and get as much done as you can, on time.

As an entrepreneur, I’m lucky to have relative freedom over my schedule. At the same time, my clients’ schedules and budgets dictate many things, as so does my family’s calendar. I always need to respect and align with these. And of course, I have personal needs too: time for myself, friends, exercise, and more. That’s why I need to pause now and check in with myself: What have I accomplished in the past months? What worked, what didn’t? What’s still ahead, and what needs to be realigned?

Looking back

Over the past months and seasons, you’ve worked hard - it’s time to look back. What milestones have you reached? Which goals can you check off your list? What went well? When did you feel your best and most energized? When did you feel exhausted or empty? What lessons did you learn? What would you like to do differently next time?

Maybe you made plans in January, and everything is on track. If so, well done - it’s time to celebrate.

Or maybe things didn’t go as expected. Perhaps a life event happened that you didn’t plan for: a job change, illness, a move, a divorce, something else, or a combination of these. Life always throws surprises our way. Lean in. Leave room for the unexpected. Be flexible and resilient.

Life happens. Let it unfold. Evaluate, realign as needed, and then keep looking ahead.

Looking ahead

A new season - the final push of the year - is here. Goals can be achieved. Plans can be realigned. New plans can be made. You can make things happen.

What motivates you to move forward? What’s your vision? Why do you do what you do? Are your current goals still aligned with your “why,” or are you just running on autopilot?

Remember: when you’re working in sync with your vision and purpose, your energy flows freely.

What’s realistic in the coming months? What are the top three things you want to focus on? What can you eliminate from your schedule and task list? How can you free up more time (and creative energy) for what’s meaningful and important?

What other factors do you need to respect for this season? Write down everything - school breaks, travel, financial needs and limitations. If you know you tend to over-schedule, create an artificial boundary and schedule a “buffer” day in the middle (or end) of the week. Plan focus days with no calls, no meetings, no interruptions. Just you and your work, fully focused.

Clean up your desk. Clean up your notes. Clean up your calendar. Clean up your thoughts.

Make this your season.

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This is the kind of work I do with my clients: helping high-achieving professionals find clarity, build resilience, and align their actions with what truly matters - so they can thrive, not just survive. If you’re feeling ready for a more intentional season ahead, or if you’d simply like some support in navigating these transitions, I invite you to book a free discovery call with me. Sometimes, a single conversation can open up new possibilities.