Now that summer is winding down, kids are going back to school, and our summer plans are almost over, you may be thinking about how to get back to fall goals and routines. Most of us have been so busy, we just live each day spontaneously, doing the best we can. That’s a lot of fun but, if you love a little more structure to your days, now is the perfect time to slow down and get back to fall goals and routines.
Most people do resolutions on January 1, but I actually like to do this in August or September. I love fall, and after a busy summer, it feels like the perfect time to get organized and make plans and goals. If you start new goals and routines in the fall, they’ll become a normal part of your life before the busy holiday season. If you have kids in school, it’s a new start for them and can also be a new start for you.
Today, I’m going to share with you how I use the month of August to make goals and plans for the upcoming year. If you love summer and you don’t want or need to get back to a normal routine just yet, September is also a good time to start new goals.
When I make goals and plans for the upcoming year, I think about six areas of my life, where I’m at, how I’m doing in those areas, and what improvements I want to make. I also have a more in-depth post about these life areas, called How To Make Meaningful Goals For Your Life. You can read it here.
SIX AREAS TO EVALUATE AND IMPROVE
- Goals, routines, and schedule. Take time to think about where you are in life and where you would like to be. Write down your goals for the coming year for each area of your life. Then plan out a schedule that will help you accomplish all your new goals. Write out your ideal weekly schedule using my printable, My Weekly Schedule. Make sure there’s a place in your schedule for every goal you make. The best way to make sure you have time for everything is to schedule your time with time blocks. Start with your ideal schedule but adjust it until it works for you.
- Family and home routines. Keep in mind that your schedule needs to work for your specific family situation. Your schedule also must include regular routines for everything that goes on in your house including time for meals, laundry, cleaning, bill paying, and grocery shopping. Your schedule is your blueprint for your life. Everything important to you must be on the schedule!
- Health routines. Since you’ll be starting a new, improved routine, why not make exercise and healthy eating a part of it? Look at your schedule and make sure that you plan time for exercise, making healthy meals, and shopping for healthy food. Put it in your schedule and try to stick to it. And, of course, get to bed at a regular time every night for a good night’s sleep.
- Finances. Since busy summer activities sometimes throw our budget off track, now is the perfect time to stop and get our finances re-organized for the coming year. Think about your short and long term financial goals, make a budget, and get back into a regular routine for handling your finances.
- Career. Now that you’re done with your summer vacation and getting back to a normal routine, it’s the perfect time to think about your career goals. Do you want to go back to school? Do you want to change jobs or improve in the job you have? Are you ready to retire or start volunteer work? Think about it. Set goals and make it happen!
- Fall wardrobes. Fall and back-to-school time means it’s time to re-evaluate wardrobes for your kids and yourself. Have your kids try on clothes from last fall and see what needs to be on a shopping list. Also, organize your own wardrobe for fall. Go through your fall clothes and make a list of what you need.
That might seem like a lot to think about. How can we make all these improvements without becoming overwhelmed? Just like kids need time to adjust to a new school routine, you need to make adjustments gradually. Start the first week of August or first week of September, if you prefer. Work on one area each week. Then, each week, add goals from the next life area. Here’s how:
HOW TO GET BACK TO FALL GOALS AND ROUTINES
- Week 1: Write goals and start new weekly and daily schedule.
- Week 2: Start new home routines such as a system for meals, laundry, and cleaning.
- Week 3: Start new health routines.
- Week 4: Start new financial plan.
- Week 5: Start new career goals.
- Week 6: Organize fall wardrobes.
TIPS FOR GETTING BACK TO A NORMAL ROUTINE
- Each week, read a book on that week’s subject and then decide how to improve in that area.
- Do your best every day, no matter what week you’re on. For example, if you haven’t started your new health routines, don’t use that as an excuse to procrastinate and eat junk. Just do your best and get ready to do even better!
- After starting new goals and routines, expect slip-ups. We’re all human. Just get back on track as soon as possible.
I hope you’re inspired and motivated to make some new goals and plans this fall. If you have more suggestions for getting back to fall goals and routines, please let us know in the comments below.
Till next time, have a wonderful day!