What Season Are You In?
Some years back, I learnt a valuable lesson about the power of recognising and defining the seasons we move through.
At the start of January, I knew it was going to be an exceptionally big year, focused around a major professional deliverable in Q2 that had begun the previous year. In response, I created a map for my ‘seasons’ of the year, and how I would adjust for each of them.
It was incredibly helpful.
Defining The Seasons: A Framework for the Year
By identifying the big “rocks” of projects, goals, and priorities, I was able to map out an expected flow for the year, aligning it roughly to the annual quarters. Here’s how it broke down:
Q1: Ready
With a major project delivery due in Q2, I knew the first quarter of the year needed to be about preparation. I focused on eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and organising really well every to set myself up for success. This season was all about getting into the best possible shape for the demanding months ahead.
Q2: Run
When Q2 arrived, it was go-time. I gave myself permission in advance to go all-in, knowing this would be a season of imbalance. My goal was to sprint through the lead-up to the project delivery without guilt or hesitation. Because it was a planned season, I embraced the intensity and didn’t beat myself up for letting other priorities take a back seat for a while.
Q3: Rest
This is the one I’m typically not as great at - at least not without feeling guilty. Some part of me felt like I should have been able to have a couple of good sleeps and dive back into the adrenaline. But I knew this season was critical for long-term sustainability - not just in productivity but in my well-being and relationships. It wasn’t about taking a months-long holiday; it’s was about rebalancing work hours, reconnecting with loved ones, and rediscovering what brings me joy. Very importantly, I banned myself from setting big new ‘what’s next’ plans!
Q4: Reimagine
Only after cordoning off a season of rest and rebalance, I allowed myself to turn my focus towards reflecting and dreaming for what was next. This season was all about looking ahead to the coming year, setting new goals, and mapping out the seasons to come. But to do that effectively, I needed the margin I’d built in my Rest season.
Why Define Your Seasons?
Defining the silhouettes of the seasons you’re in - even while acknowledging that life often throws us unexpected curveballs - has been an incredibly powerful exercise. Here’s why:
1. It Gives You Perspective
When I hit my “Run” season, it was tough, no question. But knowing it was a planned, temporary season gave me perspective. I had signed up for this, and it wasn’t going to last forever. That understanding helped me dig deeper and push harder because I knew this was the season for it.
2. It Gives You Permission
Understanding the season I’m in helped me let go of guilt. During “Run,” I didn’t feel bad about the long hours. During “Rest,” I didn’t feel guilty about booking a holiday or scaling back. Recognising my season gave me permission to focus on what truly mattered in that moment.
3. It Prompts You Toward Your Goals
I’m not naturally great at planning for rest. But knowing in advance that I had a season dedicated to rest prompted me to plan months ahead for what I knew would help me recharge. Similarly, during “Ready” and “Run,” I made intentional decisions that supported the priorities of those seasons.
Embrace the Power of Seasons
Stretching seasons are always tough, but recognising that they’re just that - a season - makes them so much more manageable. And when you find yourself in a season of margin, recognising it allows you to fully embrace and make the most of it, knowing it won’t last forever.
There’s incredible power in recognising and embracing the seasons of our years and our lives. Perhaps you might want to take a moment to reflect:
What kind of season are you in right now?
What does this season require of you?
And how can you prepare for the season that lies ahead?