3 Simple Changes to Fall into Success

Saying goodbye to summer can be a difficult thing to do. For many, the summer months mean shorter work weeks, more casual attire and just a stronger sense of overall freedom — both at work and at home. Because of this, many people dread the months following Labor Day.

Don’t let the transitional months between summer and winter get you down. With business picking up and schedules changing for everyone, fall is a great time to course-correct your year. If you’re unsure where to begin, we’ve compiled three simple changes you can implement starting as early as today!

REFRESH YOUR ROUTINE
In addition to cooler weather and all thinks pumpkin spice, fall also brings a gradual adjustment in the number of hours you get in a day. As daylight savings quickly comes to a close, it can be difficult to maintain the same routine and accomplish the same things you did in the summer months. Take advantage of this change and refresh your daily routine for the better.

Don’t fall victim to sleeping in with the sun. Use this time for yourself — whether it be adding in a morning workout (sunrise yoga anyone?) or picking up a new book. Fall also means less sunlight after working hours. Instead of sinking into the couch for your regularly scheduled television programming, use this time to grab dinner with a friend or do those often-ignored household tasks.

GET BACK TO NETWORKING
With less colleagues taking vacation days and many individuals experiencing an increase in free time, fall is the perfect time to brush up on your networking. While many of us cringe at the word, networking is a great way to stay relevant in your industry and among your peers.

If you're unsure where to begin, start small and ask one of your industry acquaintances to coffee or lunch. Additionally, many networking organizations pick back up in the fall after taking the summer months off. Do some research and see if there are any groups you're interested in joining. Even groups that aren’t necessarily industry-related can lead to some great professional and industry contacts.

ADJUST YOUR PRIORITIES
Finally, fall is the time to take a good look at your priorities. With the end of the year approaching, now is the time to make sure your focus is on the right thing. Unfortunately, some of the fall and winter months — November, December and February — experience the most number of layoffs.

Use this time to make an impact for your employer and establish yourself as an invaluable asset at your company. Look at your day-to-day and evaluate where you are spending the most time. Are there any excess meetings you can recommend shortening or cutting altogether? Perhaps a big chunk of your time is spent fixing problems that could have been easily avoided. Fall is an excellent time to take into account those small changes that can be made throughout the day to give you even just a few minutes more of productivity.

While you may be ready to rush into the holidays, now is the time to focus on what’s in front of you and prepare for what’s ahead. Use these fall months to accomplish those goals you put in place back in January. Who knows, fall may just become your favorite season with the right mindset!