You're On the Runway to the Rest of Your Year
August 2026 Planning Tips and Resources
As I write this, it’s the end of July, and we’re just entering yet another weeks-long heat wave here in Vienna. So it feels strange for me to be writing about the transition into fall, and probably even more jarring to read about it. But that’s where we are, or at least where we’ll be in a few weeks as we shift from planning the next summer adventure to planning the rest of the year.
Because August is your runway to the final months of the year. We start the month in full summer mode, a slower pace, looser rhythms, and plenty of “let’s talk about that after the summer.” And then, somewhere around mid- or late August, depending on your circumstances, you find yourself feeling caught up in the urgency (sometimes real, often manufactured) as you realize the end of the year is much closer than the start.
If you’ve been with us for any amount of time, you know we do not subscribe to the false notion that your work needs to fit neatly into the contrived January to December construct, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel its effects.
So before the feeling hits in full force come September, use August not just to determine what needs to get done between now and the holidays but, maybe more importantly, how you want to spend that time. What do you want to take with you from this summer? What do you want to leave behind? What takes priority?
And don’t forget that as the seasons shift, so does our energy. Before the rush sets in, take some time to relook at your weekly rhythms and ask yourself how your energy is different in September and October than it is during the summer months. Then build around that reality, not the smooth and easy pace of summer, or worse, the crunched and stretched-too-thin overwhelm that fall can bring.
Don’t worry, summer isn’t over yet. (The 100°F /38°C temps here are proving that.) You don’t have to change pace entirely, but you might want to consider what that not-too-distant version of you is going to need. As a client recently said to me:
There are benefits to the looser structure of summer, but I’m craving more structure and more routine.
Which takes us back to the questions:
What do you want to take with you from this summer?
What do you want to leave behind?
And what do you want to prioritize in the months ahead?
And for our friends in the southern hemisphere, your transition may look a little different as you shift out of winter, but it’s a transition all the same. Same rules apply; just swap out winter for summer in your reflection.
~ Maghan
Resources to Support the Seasonal Shift
Questions to ask yourself, and your team, to support you through the seasonal shift
Habits to make a graceful transition
Create a schedule that works for you with time blocking
Free subscribers: now might also be a great time for you to give our paid subscription a try. $10 a month will get you all our premium resources, our two monthly calls, the full digital suite of Momentum Planners, and more. Cancel anytime.
Team Habits Turns 3!
Team Habits turns three on August 29th and its ideas, and its message, are as relevant as they were back in 2023 (maybe more so). If you haven’t read it, or it’s been a while since you have, consider this your invitation. When we improve the way our teams work, we improve the way work works. Get your copy →
Join Us for Our August Events
Mark your calendars for our August events, open to our paid subscribers:
Leadership Strategy Session (LSS): Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 11:00 am PDT
August’s Focus: Reset Your Team’s Rhythm with IntentionMonthly Momentum Call (MMC): Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 11:00 am PDT
August’s Focus: Reset Your Schedule Ahead of the Seasonal Shift
Never miss a call. You can now easily find the dates, time, and zoom details for our monthly community calls right from the PF home screen!
August Momentum Planners
The Momentum Planners were built to keep your most important work front and center. Download the free version of our August planners to help you determine what projects you want to accomplish in the new year.
Paid subscribers can access the full suite of dated planners below. 👇 If you don’t see them, please make sure you’re logged in to your paid account.