Fall is in the air

There is something about the fall season that feels like a new beginning, a good time for a fresh start.. Maybe it’s the change in weather or the start of a new school year or the kick off to the holiday season. The colors of the leaves, the sweaters and boots (well, not here in California), the crisp air, all the pumpkin spice everything, pumpkin patches and apple orchards, baking and soup season. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that there are less than three months left of 2022. I completed my Powersheets goal planner refresh for this final quarter where I evaluated my annual goals, made adjustments, decided how I want to end my year and planned out the month of October. Part of my goal setting always includes health goals and tracking my daily habits. This time of year, it can be easy to fall into the mindset trap of “Oh, I’ll start ______ after the holidays” (insert that diet, fitness program, taking my health seriously, etc). And while the new year is a great time for a fresh start, why wait? How long have you been waiting to “start” or how many times have you started and stopped? You are worth seeing your goals through and becoming the best version of yourself, don’t give up because the people around you will benefit as well. You deserve a healthy mind, body and spirit right now, not next month or next year or when things really take a turn for the worse. Take some time to reflect on the days we have left in 2022. Start building those healthy habits NOW so you can begin a new year already established in your new routine. Start small. What is one habit you can start building today? Share it with me for accountability :). Take ten minutes at the end of each day and evaluate your progress. What went well today? What could I do differently tomorrow to get closer to my goal?

This time of year can feel rushed. We become so busy with school and holiday prep that it often feels like we blink and it’s a new year. I would encourage you to practice staying present, mindful of what is going on right now in front of you. Include this in your goal setting for these final months of the year. We can set business goals, relationship goals or financial goals, etc but it’s also important to set goals that focus on what you can control. For example, I could set a career goal to receive a promotion or move to a new department which would be a great goal but so many factors are outside of my control. The company could turn and I could be laid off next week. My performance at work is completely up to me but the layoff is outside of my control. When I set a goal to work on my mindset and fuel my body with whole and nutritious foods, exercise daily, this is my choice. No one can take these goals away from me, the progress is completely up to me AND these goals will help me in the moments that happen which are outside of my control. If I remain in a great space mentally and then get laid off from my job, of course it’s a difficult thing and will take time and healing from a situation like this, but the resilience I have inside of me will determine where I go next. Another example could be spending more time with your kids or being more mindful and present in the time you do have with them by creating special memories this season. Instead of being on your phone or watching more tv together (passive activities), get in the kitchen and cook or bake something, do a fall scavenger hunt. Use Pinterest to create an inspiration board full of ideas and photos or write down your goals or habits you want to create on paper and review each day to motivate you to make the most out of this season. Not sure where to start? I can help with that. Trust me, you’ll be so glad you decided to start making positive changes now. - CS