Summer has its own rhythm. Lighter routines (if we’re lucky) and the welcome chance to slow down. But as summer moves towards autumn – admittedly a sunnier, warmer autumn in the Mediterranean – the shift back into work comes not just with more packed calendars. This year, the return feels different… Not only are we re‑establishing routines but many of us are also embracing new technologies, tools and learning systems that are reshaping how we work, learn and grow. 

Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or managing your own career, this month’s blog is intended to motivate and re-energise you for the final quarter of the year. Who wants to crawl towards December’s finish line when you can finish the year with purpose instead? 

So here are ten tips to help you keep moving ONWARDS and UPWARDS!

1. Pace yourself

Coming straight out of holiday mode, it’s easy to overpromise and dive straight into big projects. But be wary of committing to grand plans as overwhelm can quickly undo motivation. Ease in with small, doable actions that restore a sense of control (think: early wins that help you get moving again calmly). Clear low‑hanging emails, address light admin, and reset any simple systems that slipped over summer.  Next, draft a roadmap that spreads your workload sensibly and breaks larger tasks into realistic stages. 

Remember: sustainable progress over sprinting and then stalling. 

Try this: do a 15‑minute inbox triage, action anything that takes under two minutes, and pick three quick wins to close today.

2. Carry out a goals health check

September is the perfect time to reassess objectives. Look at the goals you set earlier in the year and ask: Which ones still matter and which no longer serve you? Which need reshaping to reflect new realities? By focusing on realistic outcomes and sharpening the list, you’ll have a clear direction for the remaining months of the year and avoid spreading yourself thin by trying to do it all.

Remember: Two or three must‑wins for Q4 are plenty. 

Try this: run a short Stop / Start / Continue review and set one clear, measurable target you can hit by year‑end.

3. To‑do list tidy

A bulging to‑do list zaps energy. Categorise tasks using a simple frame (urgent / important / delegate / drop) and batch similar work so you’re not context‑switching all day. A cleaner list brings clarity. 

Remember: not everything deserves your attention; spend time where it counts.

Try this: Do a 20-minute brain-dump to note all open tasks, then use the 1‑3‑5 rule (1 big, 3 medium, 5 small tasks) for today’s plan.

4. Clear workspace = clear mind

Physical and digital clutter are brain chains. Take advantage of your wastepaper basket/shredder and reduce those paper mountains that sneakily build up, go stationery shopping for filing products to organise – bottom line, get papers off/away from your desk. Streamline your digital life: delete computer files or archive them into folders as required, trash emails unnecessarily occupying inbox real estate, unsubscribe from anything no longer serving you – and sit back and admire your handiwork. 

Remember: The simplest path to thinking more sharply, focusing more clearly and feeling lighter is a hack known as cleaning your desk.

Try this: set a 20/10 reset: 20 minutes to clear your physical space, 10 minutes to blitz your desktop and inbox.

5. Time management 

If your days tend to blur into one long grind, this is the moment to reset. Let time-blocking become your friend. Assign specific chunks of the day for deep work and group meetings together into set time slots. Build in a short buffer of five to ten minutes between time blocks to grab a drink, stretch your legs and clear your mind with a brief walk around the block to avoid running on fumes. Don’t forget the most revolutionary act of all: establish a daily cut-off time for replying to phone messages. And stick to it. 

Remember: Clearly defined working hours and boundaries are especially key for self-employed people (she said to herself) to prevent the feeling of being permanently on call.

Try this: reserve two weekly meeting‑light windows (or implement a daily power hour) for deep work. End the working day with a 10‑minute routine like updating your productivity app.

6. Harnessing AI

What a difference a year makes… And the biggest change since last summer is AI’s evolution from a novelty trend to an everyday helper. Save time by using AI‑powered project platforms to outline proposals, summarise meeting notes, turn transcripts into action points, or map a simple content calendar.

Remember: AI can speed up the process, but it can’t replace your judgement. Use it as a helper, not a substitute for your voice and expertise.

Try this: choose one workflow to automate this month (e.g., meeting summaries). Create three reusable prompts/templates and pilot them for two weeks.

7. Invest in YOU

Personal and professional growth is one of the most powerful ways to reignite motivation. And post‑summer is an excellent time to get into learning that aligns with your ambitions. Whether you sign up for a short online course, enrol in a certification programme, attend an online industry workshop/webinar or join a supportive and educational network (well hello SHE Malta), new skills can reignite your entrepreneurial/professional mojo. 

Remember: platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy and Coursera now use AI to recommend tailored learning paths, making it easier than ever to discover opportunities you may not have considered.

Try this: pick one course, book a start date, and note one outcome you’ll apply within 30 days.

8. Lift your team

If you lead others, don’t forget they’re also likely to be adjusting to the ‘re-entry’, especially if they went on holiday. A light welcome‑back catch‑up over coffee, a brainstorming session, or even just informal updates can go a long way to helping your most valuable assets feel re‑aligned and motivated. 

Remember: there’s nothing wrong with sharing post-summer feelings with your team. In fact, they’re likely to appreciate you all the more for it. 

Try this: run a 30‑minute reset huddle where you all share priorities, existing obstacles, and agree on one small win to complete that week. If you work solo, you can do this via a voice note or written notes.

9. Healthy rhythms and routines

Our wellbeing not only fuels our output but it’s crucial to the success of our business. Yet entrepreneurs especially can easily overlook self-care, putting all their attention and energy into their business. Rebuild the basics (sleep, nutrition, movement, daylight). And bookend your day with simple open/close rituals including positive acts that calm, nourish and fulfil.

Remember: anchor your day with non-negotiable me-time to prevent work from sprawling into every part of each day.

Try this: adopt the 10-10-10 system and pick three rituals maximum that take ten minutes each (no, laundry/taking out the bins doesn’t count!). Eg. in the morning, pick three from: enjoying a warm drink in your favourite cup, stretching, doing yoga, journaling or reading. Before bedtime lights out, three from: journaling, reading, planning the next day, massaging your face with (safe) essential oils, meditation.

10. Recognise big and small wins

Don’t wait for the “big” achievements to celebrate. Motivation grows when you acknowledge it. As often mentioned by SHE Malta (including at the recent Lessons I’ve Learned event), small steps compound into big leaps. Reaching out to a potential lead, mastering a new app, finally clearing that task you’ve been delaying, or simply establishing a routine again…all builds confidence which in turn leads to momentum. 

Remember: progress comes in many different forms; it all counts.

Try this: start a Friday Wins & Lessons note; track one win and one learning each week to keep motivation visible.

Bonus tip: Protect thinking time

Strategy needs time and space. Allocate room in your week for ‘thinking time’ once or twice a week; phone away, notifications off, a clear page and a question to explore. Use these undistracted minutes where strategy can surface to map decisions, untangle problems, or plan the next sprint. 

Remember: Guard this like a meeting with your most important client. 

Try this: schedule two thinking time blocks for the next fortnight with a one‑line prompt, e.g. what would make Q4 a success?

__________

The shift from summer’s gentler pace to autumn’s deeper routine can be a cognitive drain, especially if some goals have slipped along the way (happens) this year. But it’s never too late for a simple reset that doesn’t feel daunting.

With organisation, reassessment, decluttering, time management, self-education and/or the smart use of tools, you can make the last season of the year a powerful and constructive launchpad.