September will be too late.

August is weird.

July seems to stretch on forever…so many possibilities, so many plans, so much time…

Then - BAM! - you slam into August and suddenly the calendar seems WAY too full, you’re already behind, and summer might as well be over.

For most of us - especially if we’re parents - January 1st is fun and all, but let’s be honest: September is the REAL new year. 

And that means it’s time to get ready now. 

Because leaders look ahead. 

Whether you’re leading a team, a Board, or a family, now is the time to prepare, so that September goes smoothly for everyone. 

Don’t wait till September to plan. That’s too late. 

I know you don't want to work yet! The ROI on this is worth taking your computer to the park with you!

Not sure where to start? 

Use these steps to get ready for the year:

1. Remember You Purpose

What’s the reason your business or team exists? Beyond your profit margin, what do you contribute to the world?

If you have a purpose statement (or mission, or vision), take some time with it. Make it personal. It will help you remember why you’re really here.

Parents, you can do this too! Why does your family exist? What is your ultimate purpose with your kids? Knowing your purpose helps you stay grounded and focused when things get crazy.

My family purpose is: “To use my gifts to make a contribution while I build a secure and loving foundation for my son.”

2. Take Stock of Your Circumstances

What’s different for your family since last year? Kids are older; maybe they need more responsibility. School lets out earlier; pick up is different. Grandparents have moved closer and want to be involved. You have a pre-teen now, and it’s more challenging to connect.

Do the same at work: There’s a new VP and you’re not sure how they operate. Two team members left over the summer. The return-to-office plan is still in flux. Tariffs are impacting the company’s bottom line.

None of these things are inherently “good” or “bad.” They’re just circumstances. We pay attention to them so that we can adjust our expectations and plans. Doing the same old thing won’t work when the circumstances have changed.

3. Set Clear Priorities

Your strategic priorities are the few things you need to focus on for now that will help you achieve your purpose. 

You should have three of them (+/- 1) and they should guide what you spend time and energy on all year.

They are found at the intersection of your purpose and your circumstances. 

So, ask yourself, given the current circumstances, what three things should my team/family focus on to move us toward our purpose?

You might prioritize training, if your team is new. Or succession planning, if some key people are nearing retirement. Finding new revenue streams. Marketing. Collaboration. Creativity. 

In your family, you might prioritize building attachment if your kids are in a season of change. Or sticking to a schedule if things are busier this year. Or developing new interests if screen time is causing concern. 

Remember, just three!

4. Plan Your Start

Once you’ve got your priorities locked in, use them to plan the start of the year. 

Plan how you’ll share them with your team/family.

Use them to plan your first few meetings. 

Use them to shape your schedule, your professional development, your performance reviews, your check ins. 

At home, use them to plan what activities you’ll choose, how you’ll spend holidays, what your routine will be.

This can seem like extra work. I get that. 

But I promise that the time you invest now will make a HUGE difference once September hits. Instead of scrambling, you’ll be focused and prepared. Instead of freezing, you’ll hit the ground running. 

You will see the big picture.

You will be ready to lead.

And that means your team will be able to trust you. They’ll feel confident and inspired. And they’ll be able to thrive.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don't give in to procrastination! Don’t listen to the voice that tells you you’re not good enough or smart enough or that it won’t make any difference anyway. 

You can do this. 

And you should do this. Because people depend on you. And this work sets you up for success all year.

You’re the leader. And leaders look ahead.

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Want to go further with this planning? Shoot me an email and I'd be happy to share a PDF version of my Simplified Strategic Planning Process with you. It's worked for me hundreds of times with all different teams - and I'm happy to pass it along!

dana@burningpoint.ca