Most people quit their goals in July. The "Summer Slump" is a real phenomenon; the sun is out, the routine shifts, and the high-octane energy of January feels like a distant memory. In a Designed Year, however, Summer isn't where we quit; it’s where we sustain. And Autumn? Autumn is where we "harvest" the wins so we can walk into the holiday season with a "Wins Log" that is actually full, rather than a list of "Maybe Next Year" regrets.
Summer (Q3) should be designed with "Low Friction" in mind. This is the season for maintaining the momentum you built in the Spring while allowing space for restoration. If you plan your most grueling, high-stress work for August, you are setting yourself up for a crash. Autumn (Q4) is your "Final Sprint." This is the season where you gather the results of the year’s work. By planning for the "Harvest" now, you ensure that you don't reach November and wonder where the year went. You are designing the ending of your story before you’ve even reached the middle.
In Your Guidebook Pages 28-29, complete your Summer and Autumn Dashboards.
For Summer: Focus on "Minimum Effective Dose." What is the one thing you must keep doing to ensure you don't lose ground? How will you protect your peace while the world is on vacation?
For Autumn: Focus on "The Finish Line." What needs to happen by November 1st so you can enjoy December stress-free? What is the "Grand Finale" project for your year?
BONUS | The 10-Minute Reset: Look at your December 2026 calendar. Block out the last two weeks of the year right now. Mark them as "Closed for Harvest & Celebration." Having that "finish line" visible on your calendar makes the hard work of October and November feel more urgent and more rewarding.
