Productive Flourishing

Productive Flourishing

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Productive Flourishing
Productive Flourishing
The Two Sides of August (Productive Flourishing Pulse #513)
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The Two Sides of August (Productive Flourishing Pulse #513)

Plus August Planners and Tips for Navigating the Month’s Intensity Shift

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Charlie Gilkey
Jul 31, 2025
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Productive Flourishing
Productive Flourishing
The Two Sides of August (Productive Flourishing Pulse #513)
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Because it's the end of the month, I'm going to switch from the reflective/journal style Pulses I've been writing this summer to reminding you of August's peculiarity.

Think about it: the emotional part of most seasonal shifts happens in the transitions between months.

August is different in that it pulls us in opposite directions. We're still planning summer fun while also thinking about fall schedules and responsibilities. It's jarring to hold both mindsets at once.

There's also an intensity shift that happens mid-month. The slow summer pace suddenly accelerates as we try to cram in those last summer activities while simultaneously preparing for back-to-work/school demands.

It's not just you. I'm writing this not to snatch your summer away, but in hopes that the weirdness and intensity shift doesn't sneak up on you.

The resources below will help you navigate the shift, whenever it happens.

~Charlie


Navigate August's Intensity Shift

  • Your summer schedule likely won't serve you well in the fall. Use August to experiment with new routines and energy patterns before the intensity of September hits, giving yourself time to adjust what's working and what isn't.

    Create a Weekly Schedule That Works For You

    Create a Weekly Schedule That Works For You

    Maghan Haggerty and Charlie Gilkey
    ·
    Feb 24
    Read full story
  • Summer's slower pace might have left some projects stuck in a tarpit. August offers the perfect opportunity to assess what's been stalled and decide what deserves your renewed focus as momentum builds toward year-end.

    How to Get Your Projects Unstuck

    How to Get Your Projects Unstuck

    Charlie Gilkey
    ·
    April 25, 2024
    Read full story
  • August is an ideal time to revisit your Annual Optempo Wheel. As the intensity shifts mid-month and fall ramps up, having explicit conversations about the coming months' pace helps everyone prepare for the acceleration rather than react to it. (Note: This tool works just as well for mapping your individual rhythms and energy patterns throughout the year.)

    Reveal Your Team's Optempo to Align Expectations

    Reveal Your Team's Optempo to Align Expectations

    Charlie Gilkey
    ·
    May 21
    Read full story
  • August provides a natural reset point to establish consistent communication rhythms before fall's busier season arrives, helping teams stay aligned and individuals stay accountable to their goals.

    Opening Team Black Boxes: The Weekly Check-In and Check-Out Practice

    Opening Team Black Boxes: The Weekly Check-In and Check-Out Practice

    Charlie Gilkey
    ·
    Mar 26
    Read full story

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 these resources, our two monthly calls, the full digital suite of Momentum Planners, and more. Cancel anytime.


Join Us in August

Mark your calendars for our August events, open to our paid subscribers:

  • Leadership Strategy Session (LSS): Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 11:00 am PDT
    Reboarding Without the Whiplash August is two months in one — late-summer ease colliding with urgent fall prep. Help your team navigate this transition with steadiness, clarifying priorities and resetting rhythms before September's full weight hits.

  • Monthly Momentum Call (MMC): Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 11:00 am PDT
    Summer Brain Meets Fall Pressure Your creative projects don't snap back to attention just because everyone's talking about "getting back to business." Learn to transition from summer dreaming to fall execution without forcing unnecessary busyness or fighting your actual energy levels.


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 actions and ideas are serving you, and which need a retool going into the second half of the 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.

If you don’t have a paid subscription yet, now’s a great time to upgrade.

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