September- Time to Reset Your Career
The myth of the Summer holiday reset
Oh, the summer holiday. The annual pause from life — lazy mornings with novels, long lunches, cocktails by the pool, laughter in the background. You look up at the cloudless sky and think: ‘Now, I’m relaxed.’
And then, BANG! Flashes of work and what’s ahead creep in like an uninvited guest. You order another cocktail, determined to enjoy the present moment.
For years, that annual summer holiday was enough to recharge your batteries. You’d return ready to push forward in your career. But lately? It doesn’t feel that way. The holiday glow barely lasts the return flight. Instead of renewed energy, you feel like you’re dragging yourself back onto the hamster wheel.
Sound familiar? Many women are finding that as their careers progress, old ways of switching off’ just don’t work anymore.
Why your Career feels heavier now
As you’ve moved up the ladder, the pressures at work have grown. One problem solved is quickly replaced by another. Instead of feeling motivated and energised, your career feels heavy — like something happening to you, not something you’re driving. Plus, the career that you developed in your twenties, smashed in your thirties, no longer gives you the joy and satisfaction it once did.
September:Your career reset button
Here’s the good news: September brings with it a natural reset. While your school days may now be hazy memories, there’s still something about this month that feels like “back to school.” A fresh start. A chance to take stock, get unstuck, and bring back your sense of joy at work.
September is when people get things done — and it could be the moment to take charge of your career again.
What’s really going on in your career?
Before jumping into action, it’s worth pausing to reflect. Use these career coaching exercises to uncover what’s really happening at work:
1. Get it all out
Write down exactly how you’re feeling about work right now. Be specific — when do you feel uncomfortable, frustrated, or unfulfilled?
2. Spot the patterns
What do you complain about the most? Which frustrations come up again and again in conversations with friends or colleagues?
3. Track your energy
For two weeks, rate your daily energy levels out of 10. Note:
What you were doing
Who you were with
How you felt afterwards
At the end, look for themes. Where are you drained? Where are you energised?
Activity inspired by Designing Your Life, Bill Burnett & Dave Evans.
4. Look ahead
Imagine it’s New Year’s Eve and you’re proud of your career progress. What has changed to make that possible? Alternatively: if nothing changes by December, what will you regret most?
5. Audit your relationships
Relationships at work have a huge impact on you. Which colleagues give you energy, and which drain you?
Turning reflection into action
Once you’ve gathered your insights, here’s how to turn them into action:
What’s in my control? It’s easy to waste energy on things you simply can’t change. Instead, focus on what you can influence.
What feels easiest to change right now? Small wins matter. Choose one or two changes that you can realistically make.
What will have the biggest impact? Not everything is equal—some actions will create ripple effects in your energy, confidence, and career momentum.
Why September could be the month to sort your career out
Let’s face it — the final quarter of the year can feel like something to just “get through” before Christmas. It’s tempting to delay change until January, but that only adds pressure to an already difficult month.
Instead, what if you treated September as your “new year”? A time to:
Tackle the challenges you’ve been avoiding
Change the things that aren’t working
Discover joy at work again
And if you’re still feeling overwhelmed or wondering what’s the point?’ Book yourself into the Career Clinic