The Crescendo of Fall

The Decrescendo of Summer

The feeling of the seasons shifting has been building to a crescendo recently.

The shorts and tank tops of summer have become the sweatshirts layered over tank tops and yoga pants of autumn. The pine trees in North Carolina hold the green backdrop among the reds and yellows of the trees that do change. Dog walks require more layers in the early morning and late night.

The seasons shift with an overlapping decrescendo of one season as the notes of another weave until the new season takes over. It’s a cascade of small changes and levels of layering. Both in clothing but also with expectations.

It’s sweater weather, but also too warm for a sweater in the sun, just enough on Tuesday, or not warm enough at 11 PM walking outside after board games.

We recognize what’s happening in this transition. We know how autumn works. We’ve moved through enough seasonal shifts to get it. This is the moment to make choices about clothing and activities. To start planning winter adventures, pull out the warm boots, and consider how we want to winter.

Transitions are natural inflection points. Moments to reflect on the past, integrate insights, and shed what no longer fits. We shift our attention to what’s next and how to support and advance within the incoming season.

Overlapping Shifts

Overlapping Shifts Currently Happening for Me:

• Switching sweaters for shorts. And taking the opportunity to do an autumn reset and edit of my apartment and belongings.
• Playing the last softball game of the season on Sunday until the spring season.
• Wondering how the weather will play out for the upcoming outdoor sand volleyball games.
• Exploring various indoor movement activities to do in the winter - swimming? dance? gym?
• Prepping myself to participate in NaNoWriMo - a challenge to write 50k words in November.
• Building out a sales page and marketing plan for November Strategy Sessions - a series of strategy workshops and planning co-working I’m planning for November 16th, 17th, and 29th.
• Supporting various client projects while also putting energy towards my creative and business projects.

The Crescendo of Fall

A challenge of managing seasonal changes is that there never is a neat and clean shift. No singular moment that clearly says you’ve arrived. I just notice more and more that the days are shorter and nights are cooler and then colder.

The last quarter of the calendar year is in full swing and with it the wrap-up of client projects and the kickoff of 2024 planning and strategy work. How do I want to spend my time next year? What do I want to accomplish? Advance? Not do?

What do I want to be different in my work and life? And, after I’ve explored that, how might I make shifts to move me in that direction?

I created a self-paced digital course called the Strategic Roadmap Course based on how you might answer those questions - and the Strategy Sessions I mentioned before are also an upcoming container to support exploring those questions.

As autumn begins its crescendo, I’m focusing on strategy and making plans. While also breaking out the sweaters, soups, and scarves!

What does your crescendo of fall look like?