Blog: Why September is the Best Time to Take Committed Action
Right now, many of us are in the heart of summer: out of office, out of routine, and some time for a well deserved rest. The days are long, plans are loose, and relaxing is (rightfully) top priority.
The summer offers something rare: a natural pause. A break from structure, from striving, from constant movement. And that pause is not just welcome, it’s essential. Because just over that summer, something important is approaching.
September.
Not just another month. Not just the return of routines. But the single fastest and easiest moment of the year to make a change and put yourself first. And the good news? You don’t have to do anything right now. Just take this moment to plant a seed. Because once the rhythm returns, the momentum will follow, if you’re ready for it. Let us explain why.
The Secret Power of September
Most people think January is the ultimate moment to reset, build new habits, or dream big. But here’s the truth: January might be a great time for planning, but it’s a terrible time to start taking committed action on your goals.
By January, although many of us have made beautiful New Year’s resolutions, in practice we are often tired, broke, and emotionally drained from the holidays. It's dark, cold, and our energy is low. That’s why only around 10% of New Year’s resolutions succeed. The spark is there, but the fuel isn’t.
September, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. It’s the true season of change. Nature is shifting. The light is changing. Schedules are re-aligning. The world gets back into a rhythm and so do we.
Here’s why this moment matters more than most people realize:
1. You’re Ready. Life Is Changing.
We often treat January as the official time for change: fresh planners, resolutions, and bold promises. But January is mostly symbolic. It’s when the calendar flips, not when your life naturally shifts.
Think about it: January follows the holidays. You’re tired, recovering from the chaos, short on energy (and maybe money), and dealing with cold, dark days. You might want change, but the environment isn’t working with you.
September is different. It’s when life changes. The weather shifts. Schedules return. Nature transitions from growth to harvest. And you? You’re coming out of summer rested, more grounded, and ready for rhythm again.
That’s what makes September powerful. Your energy is aligned with your environment. You’re naturally more focused, more productive, more open to making real moves. It’s not about setting huge goals; it’s about starting small, sustainable habits, the kind that actually last. In september the wind is at your back. Use it.
2. The ‘Back to School’ Effect is in your DNA
Even if you're not in school anymore, you’ve felt it: that subtle shift when August starts to fade and the world begins to wake up again. Stores filled with notebooks, calendars, and new routines. There's an energy in the air and it's contagious.
That feeling isn't just nostalgia. It’s neurological conditioning. For years, you’ve experienced the start of a new school year every fall. That lived experience shaped your brain, your habits, and even your nervous system. Each September signaled: something new begins now. And your brain remembers.
This is why, even now, you may feel an itch to get organized, to start fresh, or to take something seriously, even if no one told you to. It's not just in your head. It's in your wiring. And that actually matters. Because your surroundings have a huge impact on your motivation. When everything around you starts to settle into a rhythm again, it's easier for you to do the same. You’re not pushing against the flow, you’re moving with it. That makes change feel more natural, and more doable.
Instead of ignoring that pull, use it. Let the back-to-school energy be your launchpad for your own growth.
3. September Is Urgent and That’s a Good Thing
There’s something powerful about a deadline and September gives you a natural one: the end of the year. Just four months.
According to Parkinson’s Law, work expands to fit the time you give it. If you have a year, it might take a year. If you have four months, it takes four months. September creates urgency, and urgency drives committed action.
You’re not dreaming about a five-year plan. You’re asking: What can I move forward before this year ends?
That tighter window helps you focus, prioritize, and cut the noise. Goals feel more achievable because they’re time-bound and because you’re not in a slump like winter, or drifting like summer. You’re alert, engaged, and grounded.
These four months are a sweet spot: long enough to make real change, short enough to stay sharp.
Getting Ready in August for September
Right now, summer offers a rare pause, a chance to rest and reflect. But keep in mind, September is just around the corner. It’s not merely the return of routines, but a powerful gateway to take committed action on your vision for your life.
While you’re still in this season of rest, use the time wisely: start envisioning how you want to show up when the momentum returns. Think about what you want to achieve by the end of this year? Who have you been in the year so far and who do you need to be in the coming months in order to achieve your goals.
Do you want to make the most of this September’s momentum and turn your vision into everyday action? Maybe the Engage Leadership Stages are your next step to develop personal leadership and leadership skills, by being held accountable to follow through, and creating leadership in others.
The rhythm is shifting, the energy is building, now it’s up to you to decide how you show up. Use August wisely, to charge, reflect and set some new goals so you can make this September a kickstarter to accomplish your extraordinary goals by the end of the year.
