4 Easy Steps to Prep NOW for a Better September

While it's great to use a long weekend to simply relax and hang out, it's also the perfect time to get a jump start on the month! And I know that most of us need more time to prepare for September as it's the hardest month to transition to after a summer with less structure/routine and more fun/relaxing.

So, between the BBQs and brunch dates here are 4 easy things you can do this weekend to prepare for the week/month ahead, so come Tuesday you feel ready focused and energized rather than unorganized and frazzled.

1. Get Focused - 15 minutes

What do you hope to accomplish this month? How do you want to feel? Use this weekend to focus and prioritize what matters most to you so everything you do has purpose. Choose an intention, write down your goals, share your hopes for the month with friends or social media. Go into this month with clear intentions to help guide your thoughts and actions.

2. Get Clear - 20 minutes

Print out your weekly and monthly calendars for September to see where you need to be and when. Understanding where you are already committed can help you: 1) plan around the important appointments/events, 2) be prepared, 3) most importantly, be proactive - there is a good chance you don't need to do everything that is on your calendar. So why not get creative and de-clutter your schedule by delegating or cancelling things that don't matter.

4. Get Organized - 60 minutes

The worst way to start your day is frazzled and unorganized - that's how we forget our keys or put on our shirt inside out. Instead, get organized with all of the things that you're going to need for the week. Take the time now when you're not rushing around to plan out and prepare: 1) Healthy Meals - plan out dinners, pack lunches, chop and dice veggies, etc

2) Outfits - choosing your outfits all at once will save you time and energy

3) Workouts - plan out your workouts and put them in your calendar as appointments with reminders, and put together your workout bag so you have everything you need ahead of time!

5. Get Support - 5 minutes

Ask a friend or family member to be your accountability buddy to help you stay focused throughout the month! Maybe you check in every day to see how you're staying on track with goals and progress. This way you have support and motivation from an outside source to keep you on track.

Finally, I encourage you to use this time not to get frustrated or overwhelmed, but instead to empower yourself to take charge of your life and your body!