I love the autumn. After the relentless heat of summer (in some areas, not necessarily in the UK), the cooler, yet still sunny autumn days come as a relief. I also absolutely adore this feeling of new possibilities, new chances. When I was back in school, I couldn’t wait for the day to buy my school supplies: my new notebooks, planners, pens, and pencils. I couldn’t wait to get my pack of books for the new school year and carefully wrap them in postage wrapping paper, putting the clear plastic cover on them (we took things seriously back then). This time of year always gave me a sense of renewal, new chances, and an opportunity to do better this time, avoid my old mistakes (and of course make new ones), and look ahead with optimism.

This makes a lot of sense. The beginning of January was always a little problematic for me with the almost obligatory New Year’s resolutions, which I find very difficult to keep anyway. But the beginning of September? That’s different. I think many of us grown-ups have the same, positive anticipation about this part of the year. In my favourite movie, You’ve Got Mail, Tom Hanks’ character writes this to Meg Ryan’s character about autumn in New York: “It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” Every time I hear these words, my heart just bursts, because it resonates so deeply with me. And yes, I’m not going to lie, it gives me the urge to do a proper scouting in my favourite bookstore and buy new notebooks, even though I have no school to attend.

There’s actually a good psychological reason why September feels like a second chance. After the slow pace of summer, when routines get a little more relaxed, the arrival of autumn acts as a reset button. It’s not just the change in weather that affects us; it’s the sense of time passing. The year is winding down, and suddenly, the urgency to make the most of the remaining months kicks in.

Now, if you're anything like me—or like many of the incredible female entrepreneurs in our community—you've probably set some ambitious goals back in January. You had big plans, bright ideas, and a clear vision of how 2024 was going to unfold. But let’s be honest: life happened. Maybe you hit some unexpected bumps in the road, or perhaps self-sabotaging habits crept in, derailing your progress. That’s okay. January goals often come from a place of high expectations and a little bit of post-holiday idealism. But September goals? They’re different.

Here’s why: By the time September rolls around, you've had the better part of a year to reflect on what’s working and what’s not. You've gained insights, learned lessons, and perhaps most importantly, you’ve developed a better understanding of what truly matters to you and your business. This makes September the perfect time to reassess, recalibrate, and realign your goals with your current reality.

So, how can you make the most of this moment? Here are five tips to help you harness the power of September, finish 2024 strong, and set the stage for an epic 2025:

1. Reflect and Celebrate Your Wins

Before diving into what’s next, take a moment to look back on what you’ve achieved so far this year. Even if it feels like you haven’t done much, I guarantee there are wins to celebrate—no matter how small they may seem. Did you launch a new service? Did you overcome a personal challenge? Celebrate these victories!

If I’m completely honest with you, this year didn’t exactly end up the way I envisioned it. I faced some serious family-related challenges, had to rearrange my life to meet those challenges, and had to re-organise my priorities rather significantly. And in some perspective, we are not out of the woods yet, I know that there is more to come. But instead of beating myself up for not managing to achieve my goals I set before I knew what was coming, I’m grateful that I managed to meet those challenges and I had the chance to be there for my family in a meaningful way. And that’s a win, my friend.

Reflecting on your progress will not only boost your morale but also give you clarity on what has been working well.

2. Evaluate and Let Go

   Not all goals are meant to be pursued indefinitely. As you reflect, ask yourself: Which goals still align with my vision? Which ones have lost their relevance? It’s okay to let go of goals that no longer serve you. This isn’t failure; it’s smart, strategic decision-making. By clearing out what’s no longer serving you, you create space for new opportunities that are better aligned with where you are now.

One autumn day, a few years ago, I took a very critical look at my bookshelf. It housed many books that represented goals I wanted to pursue, interests I thought would change my life for the better, but at that point they were just reminders of what I didn’t manage to achieve. So once I came to terms with the fact that these were no longer my visions for life or my plans for the future, I decided to let them go. I love my books, but it was time to re-home them in order to allow me to move on too.

Don’t be scared to let go some of your old dreams, hopes and visions. We are all constantly changing, everything that is happening to us shaping who we are, so the person who wrote those goals in January 2024 is not necessarily the same person who is evaluating them 8 months later. And that’s OK.

3. Set Intentional, Realistic Goals

   With 17 weeks left in the year, it’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve. Focus on setting intentional goals that are specific, measurable, and most importantly, aligned with your current priorities. What can you do in the next few months that will have the most significant impact on your business? Maybe it's launching that online course you've been working on, or perhaps it's building a stronger connection with your audience. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that feels both challenging and attainable.

When we have the whole year stretching ahead of us, it’s easy to be a bit relaxed about our goals. But when we are at the home-stretch of the year, it is time to take action. And 17 weeks is a significant amount time to make some serious dent into your goals. So don’t worry about what’s behind you, just focus on what’s ahead of you.

4. Plan with the Bigger Picture in Mind  

While it’s crucial to focus on finishing 2024 strong, don’t forget to look ahead to 2025. The groundwork you lay now will set the tone for the new year. Consider how the goals you set for the remainder of this year fit into your long-term vision. This might mean starting to develop a strategy for a big project you want to tackle in 2025 or identifying areas of growth you want to focus on next year. By planning with the bigger picture in mind, you ensure that your actions today are paving the way for future success.

I’m pretty sure that you are not just making up your yearly business goals on the 1st of January, right? What we plan for the New Year is usually the direct result of what happened (or didn't happen) in the previous year. So the better you make this last 4 months of the year, the better your new year is going to be. So grab this chance!

5. Embrace the Back-to-School Mentality

My friend lovingly laughed her head off when I showed her my stationery drawer(s) a few weeks ago. I have a whole (big) drawer full of notebooks and planners, and I’m not even ashamed of it. Last year I stocked up on notebooks I love to use for work, because I suspected that the brand was about to be phased out (I think it is now), so I wanted to have some backup notebooks. And then I have all the productivity planners I tried, the gratitude journals, the notebooks I received from my friends as gifts…I think it’s safe to say that this year I better not go on a notebook shopping frenzy just because we arrived to the school-supply-buying month of the year.

Having said that, I really think you should channel that back-to-school energy into your business. Just like you once organised your school supplies and mapped out your class schedule, take some time to get organised and plan out your work for the rest of the year. Refresh your workspace, update your planner, and create a schedule that sets you up for success. This isn’t just about logistics; it’s about cultivating a mindset of renewal and preparedness.

As you embark on this September reset, remember that it’s not about cramming in as much as possible before the year ends. It’s about being intentional, focused, and aligned with your true goals. The time you spend now reflecting, evaluating, and planning will pay off not just for the remainder of 2024, but also in the long run as you move into 2025 with clarity and purpose.

And if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed or unsure where to start, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. In this week’s newsletter, I’m sharing a workbook filled with targeted questions designed to help you reflect on your year so far, set intentional goals, and create a plan that will make the last third of 2024 your most successful yet. So keep an eye on your inbox—it’s going to be a game-changer!

And if you’re not a subscriber yet, here is the link to join my newsletter. Every week I send my lovely tribe something special, something extra, something that you could use for your professional and personal development, so if you’re up for it, here is the link to sign up: https://link.feacreate.com/widget/form/NKw6qWnuK3zeB8elOU3B

Also, make sure to pop-in to our private Facebook community and share your thoughts and experiences about the September reset (or photos of your supercool notebooks and planners): https://www.facebook.com/groups/680870120466110

Here’s to making the most of September and setting ourselves up for an extraordinary end to the year!