How to Set Seasonal Goals for a Successful Fall

As autumn paints the world in vibrant hues and ushers in a season of change, it’s the perfect time to pause and reassess your goals. Even if you’re not eyeing major changes, seasonal goals can spark a sense of renewal.

Remember, effective goal setting is key to success. Ready to set and achieve seasonal goals that resonate with autumn’s spirit? Here’s how to do so.

1. Review Past Goals

First, take a look at your past goals. Did you set New Year’s resolutions that petered out sometime in February? Did you set a summer goal that didn’t come to fruition? What have you achieved, and where did you encounter challenges that prevented you from achieving what you were hoping for?

Taking an honest look at past goals from the first two quarters of the year will help you better understand how to best set new goals. For example, did you learn some valuable lessons as you encountered obstacles in reaching your goals? How could you adjust your process to ensure success this time around?

2. Assess Your Current Position

Unsure what goals to set for fall? Begin with a thorough self-assessment in both your personal and professional spheres. Examine your health, career, relationships, and personal growth.

A SWOT analysis can illuminate potential growth areas. Identify your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats by asking: What are my successes? What external challenges do I face? What opportunities in life am I not taking advantage of?

With these insights, you can put together a plan and set goals that will help you use your strengths to take advantage of opportunities while overcoming weaknesses and mitigating threats.

3. Align Your Goals with Autumn Themes

Focus on autumn themes to more naturally align your goals with the season. For example, autumn is a time of harvest and preparation. What actions will you take today so that you can harvest and reap rewards at the end of the season? What preparations can you make now, for a better winter (and overall future)?

4. Use the SMART Goals Framework

To ensure that your goals are actually achievable, use the SMART criteria to draw some guidelines around them. Each goal should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time Bound. Write down the goal and how it aligns with each of these criteria.

Be incredibly specific about what you want to achieve, and make sure that it’s measurable. Think about whether or not the goal is truly achievable based on your current lifestyle. Then, consider if it’s truly relevant to what you want to accomplish right now. If your goal ticks all these boxes, put a timeframe around it, with a deadline such as by the end of October or November.

5. Create an Action Plan

Once you have defined specific goals at the ready, create an action plan by breaking down your goals into smaller, easier steps. This will make achieving the goal less overwhelming and more likely. List as many steps as you need and assign deadlines for each to ensure continual progress.

6. Utilize Tools and Resources as You Go

After setting your autumn goals, make the most of the tools and support systems available to you. Whether it’s a planner for organization, a coach for motivation and accountability, or a habit-tracking app for consistency, select the aids that you’ll realistically use.

Commit to your tools of choice and maintain accountability by sharing your objectives and updates with others. This practice not only keeps you on track but also reinforces your commitment to your goals.

The Bottom Line

As autumn unfolds, crafting goals that echo the season’s distinct character can lead to enduring achievements. The above goal-setting tactics will provide you with the essential tools to transform your aspirations into tangible results.

Need more help setting and achieving your goals? Book a discovery call with an Arootah Executive Coach to learn more.