New beginnings – September’s the Perfect Time!

In my mind, there are three times of year when the time always feels particularly ripe for new beginnings.

If I ask any person, when they most start thinking about changing their lives or developing new habits, some are bound to say ‘New Year’:

Well yes, of course – resolutions.

Others will talk about the symbolism of Spring – the time of new growth.

In practical terms though, September is often a perfect time for new beginnings.

The time of year for the deepest change to take place, is often the month of September.

I find that this is the time of year when the largest number of people join my annual program.

It’s also often when my diary is busiest.

It’s when my courses are most likely to be fully booked.

I have often pondered on why this is.

Why change now?

The most obvious reason might be the links with the educational calendar.

Think about it: we have been taught, ever since we started school at around 4 or 5, or even earlier that September is the time for something new.

• a new term,
• a new academic year,
• a new school,

These things are programmed into us on an annual basis.

We expect things to be different, our teachers and parents will often promote the concept intentionally in the hope of inspiring us. We expect change now!

Perhaps also, our minds have become fertile after the rest period that the summer holidays represent. Many will have had at least some opportunity to rest, regroup and relax somewhere away from home.

In a new environment ideas can grow and what seemed impossible can suddenly seem possible.

The flip side is also true.

While some have found the holidays relaxing, many parents will have actually found them very challenging. Having to care for your children on top of all of life’s other pressures can be overwhelming and that can affect your self esteem.

It can often feel, by the end of the holidays that the time is ripe for new beginnings.

Do I need new beginnings in September?

As the yearly cycle completes, you can have a sense that you are repeating your mistakes. You can feel as though things are not changing fast enough, or even that you are sliding backwards.

The beginning of a new ‘term’ is the perfect time to reflect on what has happened over the last 12 months. Think about what was good and what was bad in that past year, then ask yourself some questions:

• How would you like things to be in a year’s time, if you could make the changes you need to make?
• What would you stop doing?
• What would you have started?
• How would you look?
• How would you feel?
• What would others notice about you when you have changed?
• What would you want to keep hold of?
• What would you let go of?

If you find these questions useful, you can even fill out the questionnaire below with your answers and I’ll come back to you with some feedback.

Every day is a new beginning in itself. What is the first thing you would change, today?