As summer draws to a close and we head into the fall season, a sense of routine returns. The air is crisper, the days get shorter, and life tends to settle back into a more structured rhythm.
While many people associate goal-setting with January, September offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on your progress and either set fresh goals or revisit those that may have slipped. It’s a natural time to organize, set new routines, and ignite your focus.
Use this momentum to your advantage! Embrace the season as an opportunity to refocus and create a realistic roadmap for the next few months. Here are some tips to make the most of fall.
It’s Not Failure; It’s Feedback
If you haven’t achieved your goals yet, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes, life happens, and plans get derailed. This is a chance to look back at your goals critically and ask yourself: “Were they realistic? Were they the right goals for that time in my life?”
For example, in July, I set some ambitious goals for myself, but life took a different turn.
My husband's unexpected surgery, the demands of caring for a large garden, and a fantastic week-long family vacation made it clear those goals weren't realistic. Looking back, I realize now those July goals were not attainable, and I had unknowingly set myself up for failure.
Take time to assess your own goals in the same way. Were they realistic, given your circumstances? Now is the perfect moment to reset and create goals that fit your life as it is now!
Focus on What’s Achievable
With only three months left in the year, September offers a realistic timeframe to set new goals or adjust old ones. Three months is long enough to make meaningful progress but short enough to maintain focus.
Think about what you want to achieve by the end of the year, and don’t be afraid to scale down. Less is often more when it comes to making lasting change.
Small Steps Lead to Big Changes
It’s not always about grand, sweeping goals. Sometimes, the most impactful changes come from small, consistent actions.
I challenge you to choose one thing you want to accomplish over the next three months. It could be creating a new habit, finishing a project, or simply being more mindful in your day-to-day life.
By focusing on one attainable goal, you set yourself up for success—not just for the end of the year, but by developing new habits that will help you achieve success in the new year.
A Time for Growth
Fall is a season of transition, a time when nature prepares for the coming months. In the same way, September can be a time of personal growth. Whether you’re working through a major life transition or just seeking a reset, this is an opportunity to reflect on what truly matters and how you want to show up for yourself in this next phase of life.
How to Make September Goal-Setting Work for You
Evaluate Your Past Goals: Instead of seeing unmet goals as failure, use them as feedback. Were your goals too ambitious? Did unexpected life events throw you off course?
Set Realistic, Attainable Goals: Choose goals that align with where you are right now. If your July goals were too high, adjust them so they fit your current season of life.
Focus on One Thing: Rather than spreading yourself too thin, choose one thing to focus on. A single, well-executed goal is better than several unachievable ones.
Break It Down: Make your goals actionable by breaking them into small, manageable steps. With three months left in the year, plan for milestones that can help you track progress.
Get Organized: September is the perfect time to get back into a routine. Establish new habits or reinforce old ones that support your goals.
Be Kind to Yourself: Life happens, and sometimes goals don’t go as planned. Remember to offer yourself grace and flexibility when things don’t go perfectly.
Set Yourself Up for Success in the Coming Year
Getting into good habits now, even with just three months left, will set you up for success in the coming year. September is a fantastic time to reflect, refresh, and reset your intentions. Whether you’re reviving old goals or setting new ones, take this time to be intentional and realistic about what you can achieve.
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