Issue 54: September is the real new year

ISSUE 54

27 AUGUST 2025 | READ ONLINE

Hi Reader,

August is winding down. And while much of the world waits for January to signal a fresh start, leaders know better.

September is the real reset. It’s when budgets tighten, strategies finalize, and momentum kicks back in. It’s the turning point that shapes what happens next.

But most people coast into it. That’s the opportunity, because if you enter this season with clarity, you set the tone not just for yourself, but for everyone around you.

What I’ve Been Learning

This hidden new year has reminded me that purpose-led leadership isn’t about waiting for the obvious moments. It’s about noticing the subtle ones and using them as catalysts.

I’ve seen it in boardrooms where the conversation shifts from “How did we do?” to “What do we want to create next?” I’ve seen it in teams that come back from summer break with fresh energy, and if a leader catches that spark, it can fuel the entire quarter. And I’ve felt it personally, in my own seasons of transition, where the simple act of naming a beginning gave me the courage to move forward.

Renewal doesn’t wait for fireworks or resolutions.
Clarity comes when you choose to pause and reset, even if the world isn’t.
The most influential leaders mark beginnings when others are standing still.

The September shift is that chance. The choice is yours: drift with the tide, or step in with intention.

This Week, Try This

Choose your fresh start. Identify one area that needs a reset. It could be work, life, or leadership. Write it down in one sentence.
Make one bold move. A single, clear decision made this week can have a ripple effect throughout the months ahead.
Create a marker. Rituals matter. Perhaps it's a new notebook, a team huddle, or a reflective walk; choose one act that says, 'This is a beginning.'
Journal it. Ask yourself: If I looked back 12 months from now, what would I be proud I started this week? Let the answer guide your next step.
Bring your team in. In your next meeting, ask: What’s the one thing we want to reset as a team this season? Shared beginnings build collective momentum.

More to Explore

🎙️ This Thursday on the Headline Podcast, Andreza and I sit down with Danishon R. Felder to explore what military leadership teaches us about resilience, purpose, and leading with humanity. It’s an energizing conversation that will leave you rethinking how you lead, and I was so happy actually to have a podcast chat in person in Orlando. Click here to watch it.

📚 And a quick heads-up: Clarity in Chaos: Lead with Purpose in Disruptive Times is shipping in just a few days, and right now, Amazon has it at 20% off 👉 Order here

See you next week,

Megan

P.S. Don’t wait for January. The leaders who act now will shape what comes next.