This autumn, I’m easing gently ‘back to school’

After almost a decade as a student, stepping into my first communications role at the University of Oxford in 2005 felt like a natural move, and one where September still carried the same sense of fresh beginnings as when I was in academia. Even now, twenty years on, the start of the academic year feels like my true ‘new year.’ It always carries a sense of urgency. New projects, full inboxes, a long list of ‘shoulds’. For many years, I’ve felt that September meant taking a deep breath, and starting the marathon that stretched from Autumn right through to Christmas…

It’s not been an easy summer. The past few months brought their own challenges, and I found myself struggling. Instead of pushing through, I had to learn to slow down, to let go of some of my plans, and go with the flow even more. For someone who’s always worked at a fast pace, showing that level of care to myself has felt somewhat unfamiliar. But it has been necessary and restorative: the metaphor of taking a deep breath stays with me – instead of getting ready to sprint a marathon, I’m taking a deep breath to consciously and with clarity and focus start the ‘new year’.

So, as we embark on September, I ask myself the question, what is going to be different this year?

We’re all familiar with the SMART framework for goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). For me, the “R”, Relevant, is the key. Is this goal really aligned with what I need now? Does it serve my wellbeing, my values, the bigger picture of my life?

Alongside Relevant, I’ve been adding other “R’s” into my working life:

• Rest – so often forgotten when we push full steam ahead that sometimes only a physical reminder can get us to slow down. Rest is sacred – it’s critical for us as human beings. We cannot function without it. How is rest built into your working life?

• Respite – allowing myself moments of stillness and recovery. Sometimes it’s more productive to switch off and do nothing for a moment. Focus inside, deep inside, to find respite in what you’re feeling. Stay with it, it will help the healing. And if you feel restless, even more reason to focus on why…

• Restore – doing the things that help me feel whole again. Do you remember when you used to love doing particular things? And when you made time to do the things you love? Make time for these. Life’s too short to just focus on work.

• Rhythm – finding a pace that feels sustainable, not exhausting. This is particularly important for busy working lives – manage your rhythm. If you have to start early and work late, do it briefly, and then return to the rhythm you consciously choose. Work will always be there, and the more you achieve, the more it will grow. Set your limits – and keep to them. Working to your own rhythm is more important than meeting anyone else’s demands.

As you step into this season, I’d love to leave you with three questions:

1. Which “R” do you most need to bring into your working life right now?

2. Where could you be kinder to yourself as you set goals this year?

3. If you were to ease rather than rush into the months ahead, what would that look like for you?

Wishing you all a restful and restorative autumn, in which you achieve your SMART goals with ease.