We should really start taking our cues from Mother Nature in every season, but especially in the fall. The leaves drop what they don’t need and animals prepare for winter—not by running harder, but by preparing smarter. We trade in those late summer nights and travel-filled days for cozier rhythms and slower, steadier paces. Despite nature’s cues, why does fall seem so overwhelmingly busy?
In a fast-paced, hustle-harder culture, we don’t value slowing down the way we should. Fall isn’t just about the Q4 grind before the year ends—it’s about adjusting the tempo, being intentional, and playing smart. There’s a time for high-speed execution and a time to pause, reassess, and realign. So how do you slow the pace and still stay productive? Keep reading to find out.
1. Focus on Efficiency, Not Just Effort
Let’s be real—more hustle doesn’t always mean more progress. Fall is a great time to evaluate:
- Where’s your energy going?
- What tasks are giving you the best return?
When it comes to productivity, less is more in the fall season. Cut the fluff. Drop the “busy work” and prioritize high-impact actions. Keep your calendar lean and your goals sharp.
2. Shift From Sprinting to Pacing
We train differently for a marathon than a 100-yard dash. You don’t need to hit every task at full throttle. Instead:
- Build in buffer time between meetings.
- Use theme days (e.g., Mondays for planning, Wednesdays for deep work).
- Create intentional pauses—moments to think, reflect, and recalibrate.
Rach is a huge advocate for batch work, which is about organizing your time by tasks or theme. So perhaps, you utilize a day in your week for cleaning or meal prepping. Set outside your phone and turn down the distractions to focus on the task at hand. Rach boosts her productivity by setting aside certain days on her calendar for tasks, such as writing, recording podcasts, and filming on-camera content. Productivity isn’t about speed—it’s about rhythm. Set a tempo you can sustain.
3. Recommit to Routines That Ground You
Discipline builds freedom. Especially when you’re slowing down, your routines become your structure.
- Start your day with a strong warm-up such as exercise, meditation, and journaling.
- Drink water before coffee every morning.
- Set clear shutdown rituals in the evening.
- Use Sundays to plan your week—like reviewing film before game day.
A solid routine is your playbook. Trust it.
4. Communicate the Shift
If you’re dialing down the pace, don’t leave your team or clients in the dark. Transparency is key.
- Let others know you’re focusing on depth over speed.
- Set expectations around response times and availability.
Leadership isn’t just about action—it’s about clarity.
Remember: Slower Doesn’t Mean Weaker
Slowing down doesn’t mean giving up or falling behind. It means playing smarter, longer, and with more purpose. Fall is your chance to find that next gear—not the one that burns you out, but the one that sustains you through Q4 and into the new year.
So take a breath. Set your sights. Adjust the game plan. Because the people who win in the long run? They know when to sprint—and when to slow it down.
