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Hi Reader,

Can you believe it's September already?

The air's getting crisp, pumpkin spice is making its annual comeback, and there's that unmistakable back-to-school energy in the air – even if your school days are long behind you.

It's the perfect time for a reset, and boy, do I have some exciting stuff to share with you this week!

We're diving into how to make the most of these next 90 days, balancing that Labor Day relaxation with some solid prep for the months ahead.

So grab your favorite fall beverage, get cozy, and let's map out an amazing end to 2024 together!

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🏋️‍♀️THIS WEEK'S BALANCE CHALLENGE

Craft Your 90-Day Vision Board

Alright, I know what you might be thinking – "Vision boards? Isn't that a bit... woo-woo?" But hear me out!

There's something powerful about visualizing your goals, and science backs this up. When we see our aspirations daily, our brains start to look for ways to make them happen.

Cool, right?

So, here's your mission this week (should you choose to accept it):

1. Gather your supplies: You'll need a poster board or a large piece of paper, some old magazines (digital works too if you prefer), scissors, glue or tape, and markers.
2. Reflect on your goals: Take a quiet moment to think about what you want to achieve by the end of the year. Dream big!
3. Get visual: Flip through those magazines and cut out images and words that represent your goals.
4. Arrange and stick: Play around with the layout on your board. There's no right or wrong way to do this – it's your vision!
5. Display with pride: Find a spot where you'll see your board every day. By your desk? On your bedroom wall? The fridge? Wherever works for you!
6. Bonus step: Take a picture of your board and set it as your phone wallpaper. Double the visual reminder power!

Remember, this isn't about perfection. It's about creating a visual representation of your dreams and goals.

And hey, if arts and crafts aren't your thing, feel free to create a digital version using tools like Canva or even a Pinterest board.

​Here's a Vision Board Canva template you can use to get started!​

I'd love to see what you create! If you're comfortable, snap a pic of your vision board and send it my way.

Who knows? Your board might inspire someone else in our community!

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⏱️ MINDFUL MINUTE

Intention Setting Meditation

Now, let's take a moment to get centered and set some powerful intentions for the months ahead. Find a quiet spot, get comfortable, and let's dive in:

1. Sit comfortably: Find a position that feels good. No need for a fancy yoga pose – a comfy chair works just fine!
2. Close your eyes: Let the outside world fade away for a moment.
3. Take three deep breaths: In through your nose, out through your mouth. Feel your shoulders relax with each exhale.
4. Visualize your future self: Imagine it's December 31st, 2024. You've had an amazing last quarter of the year. What does that look like? How do you feel? What have you accomplished?
5. Focus on the feelings: Really sink into how it feels to have achieved your goals. Proud? Excited? Peaceful? Whatever it is, let that feeling wash over you.
6. Set your intentions: Based on this vision, what energy do you want to bring into the next 90 days? Maybe it's "confidence" or "persistence" or "balance." Choose 1-3 words that resonate with you.
7. Slowly open your eyes: Take a moment to jot down your intention words.

This little exercise isn't just feel-good fluff. By setting clear intentions, you're priming your brain to notice opportunities aligned with your goals.

It's like setting your internal GPS – you're much more likely to end up where you want to go!

Try starting each day by revisiting your intentions. It only takes a minute, but it can set a powerful tone for your day.

🛠️ PRODUCTIVITY TOOL TIME

Mastering the Art of Time Blocking

Ever feel like you're busy all day but not really getting anywhere?

Enter time blocking – your new secret weapon for productivity. This technique isn't just about managing your time; it's about managing your energy and attention too.

Here's how to get started:

1. Brain Dump: Start by listing out all your tasks for the day or week. Don't worry about order yet – just get it all out of your head and onto paper (or screen).
2. Prioritize: Now, look at your list and identify your most important tasks. What absolutely needs to get done? What aligns with your big-picture goals?
3. Estimate Time: For each task, estimate how long it will take. Be realistic, and don't forget to add a little buffer time.
4. Block It Out: Now, open up your calendar and start assigning each task to a specific time slot. I like to color-code mine – blue for work tasks, green for personal stuff, yellow for admin tasks, etc.
5. Include Breaks: This is crucial! Schedule in breaks between tasks. Even a 5-10 minute breather can help you recharge and refocus.
6. Be Flexible: Life happens. If something throws off your schedule, don't stress. Just adjust your blocks as needed.
7. Review and Refine: At the end of each day or week, look back at your time blocks. How accurate were your time estimates? What worked well? What could be improved?

Pro Tip: I love using Google Calendar for this, but there are also great apps like Clockify or TickTick that are designed specifically for time blocking.

The magic of time blocking isn't just in the organization – it's in the mindset shift.

When you see your day laid out in blocks, it becomes easier to focus on one task at a time, rather than feeling overwhelmed by a giant to-do list.

Give it a try this week and let me know how it goes. Did it help you feel more focused? More accomplished? I'm all ears!

🥇 BALANCED QUICK WINS

Labor Day Edition

Ah, Labor Day weekend – that bittersweet mix of summer's last hurrah and fall's first hello.

It's tempting to spend the whole weekend on the couch (no judgment here!), but with a little planning, we can enjoy some R&R while also setting ourselves up for a great week ahead. Here are some ideas to balance leisure and preparation:

Mindful Meal Prep Monday:

1. Enjoy a relaxing BBQ with friends or family.
2. While you're at it, grill some extra chicken or veggies to use in meals throughout the week.
3. Make it fun: Turn on some music, pour a favorite beverage, and get your household involved.

The 20-Minute Workspace Refresh:

1. Set a timer for 20 minutes and give your workspace a quick declutter.
2. File away papers, wipe down surfaces, and maybe add a little something that brings you joy – a plant, a inspiring quote, or a photo.
3. A tidy space can do wonders for your mental state when you start the work week.

Gratitude Picnic:

1. Pack up some snacks and head to a local park or even your backyard.
2. Bring a journal or use your phone's notes app.
3. As you enjoy the outdoors, jot down things you're grateful for from the past few months.
4. Bonus: Share your gratitudes with your picnic companions and invite them to share theirs.

Sunset Goal-Setting:

1. As the sun sets on summer, take a few moments to write down your autumn ambitions.
2. What do you want to accomplish? How do you want to feel?
3. Keep it simple – even just 3-5 goals can give you great focus for the season ahead.

Mini Digital Detox:

1. Choose a block of time (maybe 2-4 hours) to go tech-free.
2. Put your phone on 'Do Not Disturb' and step away from screens.
3. Use this time to read a book, take a nature walk, have a face-to-face conversation, or just daydream.
4. Notice how you feel during and after your detox. More relaxed? More present?

Remember, the goal isn't to pack your weekend full of productive activities. It's about finding that sweet spot where you feel rested and rejuvenated, but also ready to tackle the week ahead.

📖 BOOK OF THE MONTH

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Okay, bookworms (and aspiring bookworms), have I got a treat for you! This month's must-read is "Atomic Habits" by James Clear.

If you haven't come across this gem yet, you're in for a real game-changer.

Why this book? Well, as we're resetting for the final quarter, there's no better time to focus on building habits that'll carry us to success.

And Clear doesn't just give us feel-good theory – he provides practical, actionable strategies for forming good habits, breaking not-so-good ones, and mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

Here's a taste of what you'll learn:

1. The Compound Effect: Small habits might seem insignificant in the moment, but they compound over time. Improve by just 1% each day, and you'll end up 37 times better by the end of the year!
2. The Four Laws of Behavior Change: Clear breaks down habit formation into four simple steps: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
3. Identity-Based Habits: Instead of focusing on what you want to achieve, focus on who you want to become. Want to read more? Start thinking of yourself as a reader.
4. Habit Stacking: Link a new habit to an existing one to make it stick. For example, "After I pour my morning coffee, I will meditate for one minute."
5. Environment Design: Set up your environment to make good habits easier and bad habits harder.

My favorite quote from the book? "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."

It's a powerful reminder that it's our daily habits, not our occasional bursts of motivation, that truly shape our lives.

​If you pick up "Atomic Habits" this month, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

What strategy resonated most with you? Have you implemented any of Clear's ideas? Drop me a line and let me know!

Whew! We've covered a lot of ground today, from vision boarding to time blocking, with some habit formation and Labor Day balance thrown in for good measure.

As we step into September, I hope you're feeling energized and equipped to make the most of this "second New Year."

Remember, it's not about being perfect – it's about progress. Every small step you take is moving you forward.

I'd love to hear how you're planning your September reset. What resonated most with you from this newsletter?

Any big goals you're excited about? Hit reply and let me know – your insights might just inspire next week's content!

Here's to a balanced, productive, and fulfilling autumn ahead.

You've got this!
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Dr. Destini Copp Productivity Expert

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