I feel like no matter what age you are, August is a reset. Some of us have children that are moving up in their grades. For others a new church year is beginning to kick off. Over the years, I have learned that I deeply need to lean into the seasons and rhythms of the year and perhaps that is why August often feels more like a new year than January for me. We are over half way through 2026 now and it is a good time to do some reflection.
If you too are wanting to lean into the season of new beginnings in August, here are a few coaching questions to guide your thinking.
1) What are you most proud of so far in 2026?
2) At the end of December, what are three things you would like to have accomplished? These could be actual tasks, habits you want to build, or ways you want to lead, etc.
3) What do you need to start and stop doing in order to achieve that? What do you need to say yes to? Where do you need to say no?
4) Now add a bit of whimsy. What is something fun, beautiful, enjoyable or relaxing you want to make time for or embrace?
Lean into August. It is a fresh start. Be proud of what you have done already this year, even if it that is just making it to this point. Dream of what you’d hope for the rest of 2026 and be intentional as you can about making it happen. And make sure that you make time for fun and whimsy. Life is hard. Church is hard. Leadership is hard. Sometimes we have to be intentional about whimsy or it does not happen. Here’s to a new season!