Feeling refreshed and re-charged after a summer break? Now is the time to plan how you will resource yourself between and the end of the year.

Do you have an awareness of riding the annual seasonal waves? I see it this year and every year. As we approached summer, it came up again across the system with clients, friends and acquaintances.

Not much left in the tank. Exhausted. On my last legs. So busy. It's crazy.

All were constant refrains.

The first half of the year was, again, intense. Multiple demands. Much to deliver. Complex people issues to deal with. And that was before we add in energy for supporting aging parents, supporting your small people /teenagers/young adults or navigating whatever else life throws at us.

Summer came and there was a collective breath taken.

A slightly slower pace. A bit of sun. Re-charge, Time to think.

And then the question - how do we hold on to some of this feeling? Less stressed. Slower pace. Time to think. Feeling grounded, more centred. A bit more in control of time?

September arrives with a positive intentionality around doing better and being better. Not just at work or with family but within ourselves. Blocking out time to think in the diary. Prioritising ourselves. Practicing self-care. Being intentional.

But I can see the next wave coming before it even starts to build. By early December, there will be a collective return to not much left in the tank. Exhausted. On our last legs. I see it every year, more often than I'd like. Falling into the Christmas holidays and the possibility of taking time to re-charge again.

Is there a societal acceptance that that is just the way it is? The seasonal waves that we ride - start slow, build, push to the max, break, re-charge. The system around us is not slowing down, becoming less complex or more certain any day soon.

And so, the question is how do leaders resource themselves, and their teams within this complex world? Self-care sounds too easy and trite, but fundamentally it is about bringing increased consciousness and intentionality to resourcing yourself in a way that brings more ease, more flow, more strength. A little and often goes a long way.

What are just a couple of things that you can do between now and Christmas that will help you to keep your tank filled? That will help you to stay grounded, centred so that you finish the year strong and not falling into Christmas?

Here are a couple of suggestions to get you thinking

*Book a day or two off between now and 15 December. Just to be, not necessarily to do. If all you can manage is a half day, then book that.

* Schedule Time to Think into your diary

*Prioritise what you are spending your time and energy. Strip away the rest. What is essential? What can you actively de-prioritise?

* While you are looking at your diary, can you protect one afternoon per week as 'meeting-free'? Maybe not just for yourself but for your team

*Prioritise those things that work for you to create moments of ease - journalling, meditating, walking in nature, just taking time to breathe. Build a simple ritual.

*What about making time for that thing that just brings you joy? Just for joy. I'll be making time for some creative art workshops and more connections with professional and personal friends after a busy 18 months.

What will you be bringing more intentionality and consciousness to, as you navigate your way towards the end of the year, while avoiding burnout?

Watch this space for the opening of bookings for the next Conscious Female Leader Retreat - Spring 2025.

#ConsciousLeadership #Leadershipburnout #Futurefitleadership #selfcare #selfcompassion