Reflecting on Summer to Better Prepare for Fall

Two things about this article: first, this is a true and transparent reflection of how I felt about my summer, and how I’m going to reset and improve this fall, and second, this format is the exact layout I recommend to my clients when they need to reflect. Whether that’s reflecting on a project or event, a plan execution, or a new initiative, this exercise is the perfect way to think back, reset, and think ahead.

What went well:

I fully committed to taking time off. Truly away - no meetings, half-days in the office, no inbox (not even a peek!). I wanted to be fully present with my family and our planned activities.

What felt hard:

Catching up when I was back! While it was great to be away, completely away, that did mean I had to catch up. I felt very overwhelmed when I came back to my routine and had a hard time deciding what priority was and what I should tackle first.

What would I do differently in the future:

I will look for someone to "babysit" my inbox! Outsourcing this task would allow me to step away and fully recharge while maintaining great service to clients and colleagues. This would also lead to certain messages flagged for priority upon my return and help ease the overwhelmed paralysis I experienced this fall.

What did I learn about myself:

I love the work I do. I have high expectations for myself to achieve. This combination can get out of control and leave me rundown.

What do I commit to:

I am going to ask for help in the areas where I stumble.

What do you need to reflect on? Try this exercise yourself. It may seem simple, but reflection is necessary for setting meaningful intentions. The more you can get into the habit of reflecting, the better you’ll get at untangling and sorting through your experiences - failures, successes, and everything between - at work and at home.