Returning to work in September – 5 tips to help you refocus
There’s something about September that always feels like a fresh start, a new beginning.
For many, it’s a time to return to work and a good excuse to but some new stationery!
Whether you have had a time off work or just enjoyed a slower pace over the summer, returning to work in September can sometimes feel daunting.
Here are 5 tips to help you settle back in, find your rhythm again and refocus this September:
1. Ease back into your routine
Jumping straight into a packed schedule can feel overwhelming. Spend your first day or two triaging: clear out your inbox, reconnect with your calendar, and get a clear picture of what’s actually urgent versus what simply feels urgent.
Get your workspace — physical and digital — back in order.
Reconnect with colleagues and clients, the state of your projects, and with the bigger picture of what your team is working toward.
2. Reassess your priorities
Priorities can shift over a few weeks away — a project may have evolved, a deadline may have moved, or your own sense of what’s important may have changed.
Jot down your top three priorities for the month ahead. Having that anchor makes it much easier to say no to distractions and yes to what counts.
September calendars fill up fast, and unfocused, meeting-heavy days can make it hard to get anything meaningful done. Before your schedule gets crowded, carve out blocks of uninterrupted time for the tasks that need your focus.
3. Revisit your goals
Do your current goals need updating or do you need to set new goals to help you finish the year strong?
Make sure your goals are S-M-A-R-T (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound).
Think about why the goals are important to you and the difference their outcomes will make.
4. Create an action plan
September is a great time of year to create an action plan to help you organise all your tasks and to-dos and achieve your goals.
Break down your goals or projects and tasks into small, achievable steps.
Prioritise them in order of importance or deadline dates.
Put key dates in your calendar.
Sharing your tasks and to-dos will hold you accountable and help to keep you focused and on track.
Remember to celebrate as you reach milestones along the way!
5. Review your website
September is a good time to review your website and check that the content reflects your current business offering, products and services.
- Does your website clearly show your core (or new) products and services and how you help?
- Is it intuitive and easy to navigate around?
- Is it easy for customers to book or buy from you?
Returning to work after a break isn’t about flipping a switch back to full productivity. Give yourself permission to ease back into routine, revisit your priorities, and rebuild momentum step by step. I hope that these 5 tips will help you return to work feeling refreshed and refocused.
Here are 5 ways I can help you reset and refocus this September:
1. Goal setting and action planning
Turn your business ideas into action with new goals and an action plan to guide and grow your business.
2. Time management and productivity coaching/training
Learn how to manage your time and workload effectively, boost your productivity and achieve your goals.
3. ENERGISER business coaching programme
Built around the 4 pillars of clarity, communication, productivity and wellbeing, ENERGISER will help you supercharge your business and boost your productivity.
An in-depth review of your website to make it work better for your business and increase engagement and sales.
Stay on track, meet deadlines and be accountable to achieve your business goals
