Back-to-work reset for momentum building
You know that moment when your laptop screen glares back at you after a summer holiday, and your brain feels… not quite ready for “real” work again? You scroll through emails. You open a few tabs. You tell yourself you’re “easing back in.”
(Translation: you’ve read the same sentence three times and still don’t know what it says.)
September has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re in patio mode, the next you’re knee-deep in deadlines, meetings, and big expectations. And that shift—from summer pace to “back-to-business” mode—can either feel like a clean reset or a slow trudge uphill.
Here’s the thing: momentum isn’t something you wait to “come back.” You build it. And the faster you create small wins, the faster you find your stride again.
Three ways to build post-summer momentum:
1️⃣ Start small but strategic.
Pick one project, priority, or goal you can move forward this week. Not the biggest thing on your list; just something meaningful enough to feel like progress. Momentum builds from motion.
2️⃣ Revisit your why.
Summer has a way of giving perspective. What did you think about when you weren’t buried in work? Was there a project you wanted to start, a skill you wanted to sharpen, a part of your role you wanted to expand? Write it down and make space for it before the year runs away again.
3️⃣ Make yourself visible early.
Share a quick win or insight with your team or manager this month. Visibility isn’t about bragging but reminding people you’re engaged, capable, and ready to make an impact.
The post-summer reset is a gift. It’s a natural checkpoint to decide how you want to show up for the rest of the year; not just how much you want to get done, but the kind of work (and reputation) you want to build.
So, as you step back into your rhythm, ask yourself:
What’s one small action I can take this week that sets the tone I want for the months ahead?
Until next time…
Mal
Founder, The Ideas Accelerator
Helping you grow your career with strategic insight and smarter tools.