Fall is here and this is (as all times are) a good opportunity to tune up your business and your life.
Here’s a list of ideas you can use improve every area of your personal and professional life:
Personal Development
Growth
-Develop a learning agenda for the balance of the year. What one or two things do you most need to learn about? What one thing do you most want to learn about?
Health & Fitness
– Create a daily exercise routine (e.g., walking, strength training, yoga) that fits your schedule.
– Focus on nutrition—plan balanced meals and track your diet for a period to identify areas
for improvement.
– Prioritize sleep: aim for 7-8 hours of high-quality sleep per night.
Mental Well-being
– Schedule regular time for reflection, meditation and/or prayer.
– Read or listen to content that challenges and inspires your thinking.
– Reduce screen time and increase time spent in nature or with family.
Self-Reflection
– Journal regularly to track progress and capture insights.
– Seek feedback from those closest to you on areas where you can improve.
– Revisit your core values and beliefs and ensure they align with your current activities.
Financial Health
– Review personal and business finances. Make sure you’re on track with your financial goals.
– Look at investments and savings; identify areas for optimization.
– Revise your budget to prioritize essential expenditures while cutting unnecessary expenses.
Work-Life Balance
-Schedule Personal Time: Set clear boundaries between work and personal life to
prevent burnout.
Family & Relationships
– Dedicate regular time to nurture relationships with your spouse, children, and close friends.
– Plan family vacations or regular getaways to rejuvenate and reconnect. Block time on
your calendar.
Passion Projects
– Reconnect with a hobby or passion you’ve neglected—music, travel, writing, etc.
– Give back to the community to foster a deeper sense of purpose.
Professional Growth
Skill Development
– Identify gaps in knowledge or skills and commit to learning new tools or technologies.
– Read industry-related books or take courses to stay sharp and relevant.
– Attend conferences or webinars to network and stay updated on leadership trends.
Network Expansion
– Reconnect with past colleagues, clients, and friends to maintain strong professional
relationships.
– Join or participate more actively in industry-related groups and communities.
– Look for a mentor or coach to offer new perspectives and accountability.
Productivity
– Review your calendar to identify and eliminate non-essential tasks.
– Delegate more effectively by focusing more on high-value activities where your
contribution is irreplaceable.
– Implement time-blocking to prioritize focus work, avoid multitasking and do deep work.
Leadership & Influence
Vision & Alignment
– Refine and re-communicate your personal and organizational vision to ensure clarity
and alignment with those you lead.
– Meet regularly with your team to ensure alignment, engagement, and progress toward goals.
– Periodically audit your influence. Are you leading by example in all aspects of
your leadership?
Leadership Presence
– Sharpen your public speaking and communication skills.
– Host a leadership workshops or webinars to reinforce your expertise and
add value to your audience.
– Develop content that reflects your thought leadership, such as blogs or podcasts.
Legacy & Contribution
– Revisit your purpose. Are you living it?
– Goals for impact. Are you contributing to the causes
and communities that matter to you?
– Find new ways to give back—mentorship, philanthropy, or speaking engagements.
And every day ask yourself, “What difference do I plan to make today?”
This checklist covers key areas to keep you sharp, aligned, and continually progressing in both personal and professional aspects of life.
Mark Sanborn is an award winning speaker, leadership strategist and Leadership Expert in Residence at High Point University, the Premier Life Skills University which challenges students to “choose to be extraordinary.” He also advises executives and professional speakers on how to speak more powerfully. For more information about his work, visit www.marksanborn.com.
