New Season, New Goals To Try This Fall
Today, let’s explore seasonal autumn goals for self-improvement.
Being intentional about your goals is a good way to launch into a new time of year. Furthermore, the changing seasons are a great reason to embrace self-development, personal productivity, rest, and relaxation.
Next, let’s review today’s goal ideas one at a time.
Autumn Goals To Set And Achieve This Year
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1. Set Yourself Up For Work Success
The summer fun season is coming to a close, so it’s a perfect time of year to refocus on your goals for work. Put yourself in the best light with the boss. You will get a better performance review and a better raise, too.
Thus, pick two or three new goals at work and get them done.
For example, you could solve a nagging problem, assist others with professional development, or take on a new project that needs to be completed.
Related post – 10 Good Examples of Goals for Work
2. Commit To A Morning Routine
The fall season is an excellent time to recommit to a morning routine. Doing so is essential for developing the right frame of mind to tackle the day.
The many benefits of a morning routine include:
- Reduced anxiety
- Lower stress
- Improved focus
- Heightened confidence
- Greater productivity
- Increased positivity
Must read – How To Start Your Work Day
3. Eliminate A Bad Habit
This fall, I suggest eliminating a bad habit. We all have a few bad habits. So, why not pick one of yours and make it go away?
Here are a few possible bad habits to eliminate:
- Smoking cigarettes
- Eating junk food
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Scrolling social media
- Watching television
Remember, moderating your behavior will go a long way to kicking a bad habit. Little steps turn into big wins.
4. Make A Daily To-Do List
Thus far, we have added an excellent habit (morning routine) to today’s goal list and eliminated one or more bad habits.
Next, how about making a goal to be more productive? If you agree, create a daily to-do list. Keep your list concise and include only 3-5 items.
Create your to-do list for tomorrow at the end of the work day. After you complete your morning routine, you will know exactly what to work on.
Put something easy but essential to accomplish at the top of your list. Complete that item. Then, move on to more challenging tasks. Working in this order will increase your confidence as the day progresses and you move to more demanding activities.
To sum up, commit to creating a short daily to-do list. Ensure the first item on the list is a confidence-builder for the day.
Helpful Tips – How To Be More Productive at Work
5. Plan For How To Get A Raise
Year-end review time at work is fast approaching. So get ready to put your best foot forward and make a goal to ask for a raise.
Get prepared to put the odds of success in your favor. Here are a few suggestions:
- Research what you are worth
- Document your accomplishments
- Practice your pitch
- Be ready to negotiate
- Anticipate and prepare for questions
- Update your resume
Asking for a raise is an intimidating task. So, be prepared, positive and confident.
Work Tips – How To Make a Career Plan
6. Schedule A Fall Adventure
Thus far, today’s autumn goals have focused on work and productivity. Conversely, we all need time to recharge our batteries. So, plan a fall trip or adventure to relax, have fun, and unwind.
Here are some suggestions to spice up your fall:
- Take in a football game
- Go apple picking
- Plan a turning leaves tour
- Have a camping weekend
Next, let’s stay on the topic of fun and relaxation.
7. Make A List Of Movies To Watch
For my wife and me, movies are a great source of entertainment and relaxation. Moreover, they are more enjoyable as the evening temperatures cool, the daylight hours wane, and we move deeper into the fall season.
Yet, we tend to be indecisive if we don’t have a movie watch list.
So, I recommend you compile a short list of movies you want to watch. Then, you will be ready the next time you desire a movie at home or when a new release comes to a theatre near you.
8. Take A Hike
My wife and I love to hike. Unfortunately, we do not live in the most exciting area for hiking. However, several forest preserves are nearby, so we can enjoy a few miles on the trails.
We live in a very walkable city, but there is something inspiring about getting out in nature. So, for your autumn goals, take a nature hike!
Okay. So far, so good. There is a lot more to come, but before you continue, PIN IT:
9. Schedule Holiday Time Off
Your summer vacation may still be fresh in your mind. However, it’s a good time to start planning your end-of-year holiday schedule.
Get your requests in now, before your coworkers, since many organizations require minimal coverage during the holiday season. And, of course, everyone wants the same days off.
Furthermore, your boss will appreciate the advance notice.
Just in case – How To Deal With a Bully Boss
10. Plan A Month Of Fall Meals
Peak grilling season has come to a close. Summer salads may have less appeal as the temperature drops.
Consequently, plan some great meals as part of your autumn goals.
Soups and stews will warm your soul. Comfort foods like pizza, tacos, and chili are favorites in my house. Finally, chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin bread cap your meal times off with satisfaction.
Thus, put your fall meal list together and have it handy for your next trip to the grocery store.
11. Clean Out The Pantry
Next, while thinking about meal planning, clean out your pantry.
Doing so may give you some additional ideas for fall meals. Other good reasons to clean out your pantry include:
- Getting rid of expired food
- Making room for new items
- Using up things you forgot about
- Discouraging pests in your home
Here’s a checklist of what to do when cleaning out the pantry:
- Empty the shelves
- Wipe down the storage areas
- Restock
- Label containers
- Put similar items together
12. Do Sober October
Okay, here’s my confession. I have a love-hate relationship with alcohol.
Yes. I love my cocktail hours before dinner time. On the other hand, I’m not too fond of the extra calories and after-effects of drinking.
I participated in dry January for the second time as part of my beginning-of-the-year goals. So, I also plan on doing Sober October.
You should, too, if you need to take a break from drinking. Here are some of the benefits of consuming less alcohol:
- Improve your health
- Sleep better
- Lose weight
- Save money
- Practice self-discipline
13. Enjoy Sports
Another way to entertain yourself at home is to enjoy some sporting events on television. The fall season may be the best time of year to do so.
The Major League Baseball playoffs are underway. Pro basketball and hockey are kicking off their new seasons, and college football and the NFL are going strong.
So, for sports fans, it’s a great time of year. Plan some comfort foods, hit the couch, relax with your favorite sports, and root for your teams.
14. Celebrate Halloween
Celebrate Halloween to its fullest.
Why not? You’ve been hanging out at home, not drinking, and saving money. So, it’s time to let loose a little. You deserve it.
Take the kid’s trick or treating. Go to a Halloween party. Carve pumpkins and decorate your home.
15. Store The Patio Furniture
I suggest picking one area of your home to clean up and declutter monthly. For any month this fall, choose the patio.
It’s an excellent time to store your patio furniture unless you live in a warm winter climate. Don’t let it sit out in the winter weather so it will be in good condition for next year.
This point leads me to another essential goal for the fall season.
16. Complete Autumn Yard Cleanup
Before the snow falls and the temperatures turn frigid, complete a thorough fall yard cleanup, including:
- Rake
- Remove debris
- Plant new trees and shrubs
- Mulch beds to protect roots
- Fertilize the lawn
Most people don’t realize it, but late fall is one of the best and most important times to feed your lawn. Give your grass some nutrients to munch on over the winter so it will be strong in April.
17. Have A No-Spend Month
Any month is a good month to save a little money.
Your summer trips and picnics are over, and the end-of-year holiday season has yet to arrive. So, consider limiting your spending to essentials such as food and shelter.
I have already given you some good ideas for tackling this goal. For example, plan your meals and shop for sales at the grocery store. Stop ordering food or dining out this month. Eliminate alcohol.
Also, limit your entertainment spending while continuing to have a good time.
Pull out the movie list I suggested you create as part of your autumn goals and enjoy your favorite films at home. Other options include streaming music, working a puzzle, or finishing your summer reading list.
None of these ideas are free. However, they are low-cost and often paid for as part of your ongoing monthly expenses.
Additional ideas – Top Tips from People Who Always Have Money
18. Be Grateful For What You Have
Any time of the year is an excellent time to be grateful for what you have. Why not put a particular emphasis on doing so as part of your autumn goals? After all, Thanksgiving is a big part of the fall season.
Here are some tips for being a little more grateful every day:
- Start a gratitude journal
- Be kind to a stranger
- Seek out ways to help others
- Be mindful and present
- Donate to a food pantry
Good Autumn Goals You Can Try: Wrap Up
Fall is a great time to improve, so get on the move and reach one or more of today’s seasonal goal ideas:
- Set work goals
- Make a morning routine
- Eliminate a bad habit
- Make a to-do list
- Ask for a raise
- Plan a fall trip
- Make a movie list
- Take a hike
- Schedule time off
- Plan fall meals
- Clean the pantry
- Do sober October
- Enjoy sports
- Celebrate Halloween
- Put the patio to bed
- Clean up the yard
- Do a no-spend month
- Practice gratitude
Thanks for reading. Before you go, PIN IT.
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.