Every September, it happens. The air shifts. The days get shorter. And I find myself with an iced coffee in one hand …and a pumpkin spice latte in the other. Summer and fall are my two favorite seasons, and September is where they collide.
Back-to-school season isn’t just for kids with sharpened pencils and brand new sneakers. It’s for all of us.
Fall is nature’s way of saying: reset button available – are you going to push it?
The Power of the Pivot
I teach people how to pivot, because, let’s be honest, life and business rarely follow the syllabus we thought we signed up for.
In leadership, in business, in education, and in life, we’re constantly asked to shift. A market change forces you to adjust your strategy. A team restructure demands new priorities. A school or program faces disruption and has to re-imagine how it serves its people. And sometimes, a personal challenge reminds you that the plan you thought you had may no longer fit.
Pivoting isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a survival skill. And it’s also a growth skill.
The best leaders I know aren’t the ones who “stick to the plan no matter what.” They’re the ones who say, “Okay, the playbook just changed. Now what?”
Why Fall Is Our Wake-Up Call
Think about it: Fall is the season of transition.
- Kids pivot from summer mode to structure.
- Companies pivot from “vacation slowdown” to year end execution.
- Leaders pivot from dreaming to delivering.
It’s the perfect time to ask yourself:
- What old habits am I ready to leave behind like last season’s leaves?
- Where do I need to sharpen my focus like freshly bought #2 pencils?
- What bold step have I been putting off that this season is nudging me toward?
A Fresh Start for Leaders (and Humans)
Here’s the thing: you don’t need a crisis to pivot. You don’t need permission either. Fall is an invitation.
An invitation to rewrite the narrative. To build momentum before the year ends. To start showing up like the leader, colleague, parent, or human you want to be.
Every season is a chance to re-engage. To stop coasting. To make the kind of decisions today that will shape the story people tell about you tomorrow.
Your Turn
So as you juggle your iced coffee and your pumpkin spice latte, ask yourself:
- Where do I need to pivot right now?
- What new season am I stepping into – personally or professionally?
- And most importantly – what’s the first small step I’m willing to take this week to get started?
Fall is here. The page has turned. The chapter is waiting.
Let’s make this season the one where we pivot with purpose.