“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
                        — Anonymous

September arrives with a cool breeze, the sound of leaves skittering along the sidewalk and a feeling of transition as we start a new season. It provides a unique opportunity to reset, refocus and get organized for the year ahead. Whether you’re starting a new job or returning to one you’ve worked at for years, we can all benefit from planning and setting up healthy routines that will guide us through the busy months ahead.

You’ve probably heard that we’re all creatures of habit — well, sometimes those habits can use some tweaking! Whether it’s getting more sleep, starting to exercise or eating more healthfully, start small with setting intentions and build from there. You will soon find that you have created a better habit that you will start to crave and miss when you deviate.

Don’t forget that your own relaxation and happiness are important, too! Even just 15 minutes of meditation, breathing, yoga or mindful walking can boost your mental state and happiness.

Helpful ways to start

Begin with a clean, uncluttered desk or table for your workspace. Organize it to your liking, because it’s easy to feel overwhelmed if your desk, home or office is cluttered. Then, step back for the overview and get your calendar in order so you can manage your time well. Be aware of upcoming work and personal commitments and be sure to track them, whether in a paper planner or digital format.

Small steps

Start easy, with a few additions to your daily routine. Be consistent as well as flexible; you won’t always nail all your goals, but you can get back on track the next day. Try to:

• Journal for five minutes in the morning or at night
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• Take a 10-15-minute walk after lunch/dinner
• Check in with a loved one
• Cook a new healthy recipe with leftovers for another meal
• Attend a yoga or movement class
• Name three things you are grateful for at the end of each day
• Go to bed early and see how much better you feel in the morning

Prioritize your relationships

We live in a work-defined culture, but at the end of the day, it’s our relationships that bring us the most joy. Don’t wait for others to get in touch! Organize some get-togethers — they don’t have to be formal. You can meet up for a coffee, take a walk in the park, go food shopping or enjoy a TV/movie night together. You can also look for ways to create bonds that make work more harmonious, building stronger social connections with like-minded colleagues.

Experiment

Sometimes you may feel stuck in a rut, especially if you have been at the same job for many years. Break out of it by trying new things! The beauty of spontaneity is that it opens us up to new experiences that can expand our world. You may find new ways to approach work and new hobbies that introduce you to new friends. Ask yourself if there’s something you’ve been wanting to do but never felt you had the time for.

Now is the time to jump in and try! Look for ways to create new pockets of time by jettisoning some habits that aren’t serving you well. Are you relaxing by scrolling on your phone for hours? Reform that habit and you’ve just added time back into your schedule.