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Meaning Makers

How I’m Resetting After Summer Without Burning Out

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader!

This summer was full of travel, family time, and a welcome break from routine. But now that September’s here, we’re back in the race. Work deadlines are waiting, the inbox is full, and school prep feels like a project of its own.

The first thing that shows up for me is overwhelm—and a little bit of panic. That familiar wave of, “How am I going to get all this done?” It’s tempting to jump straight into frantic mode, but I’ve finally learned that it doesn’t actually help.

What does help is slowing down long enough to write everything down.

Not just the big work projects, but the everyday things too—school forms, supply runs, even small tasks like scheduling a dentist appointment. Once it’s out of my head and onto paper, it’s no longer chaos. It’s just a list I can work through.

My Reset Tool

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Over the summer, I updated my 15 / 30 Planner, which has been my go-to way of finding steady ground.
15 minutes each week:

A quick reflection on wins, challenges, and what matters most in the days ahead.

15 minutes each month:

A short check-in to monitor not just goals, but also well-being.

30 minutes each quarter:

A reset to step back, recalibrate, and make sure I’m still on track.

Yearly visioning:

A bigger-picture look at where I’m heading, so the smaller tasks feel connected to something meaningful.

Because it’s undated, I can put it down during busy seasons or travel, and then pick it right back up without guilt.

A Side Note

Most of the time, I only write down my top 1–3 priorities for the week or month. That helps me stay focused and uncluttered.

But during busy transitions—like right now—I use it differently. I dump everything on paper first, clear my head, and then define the priorities. That shift from overwhelm to clarity is the real value.

September always feels like a reset. New routines, new rhythms, and a new season. Having a trusted system makes that transition smoother. For me, it’s not about doing more—it’s about moving forward with clarity instead of chaos.

Cheers

Daria

P.S. If you’re looking for a simple way to ground yourself this season, take a look at the 15 / 30 Planner. It’s the strategy I’ve leaned on for years.

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Meaning Makers

by Daria Rudnik, Team Architect and Executive Leadership Coach

A no-nonsense newsletter for busy leaders who are done with overwork and ready to scale smarter. Join a community of 11K+ leaders and followers across platforms getting concise, actionable insights on leadership, team building, and how to use AI and hybrid intelligence to make work easier—so you can earn more, go home earlier, and lead with purpose without burning out.

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