Make the Best of the Rest of the Year

As I write this, there are 90 days left before 2025 ends. It’s tempting to coast through these last few months, putting off any new efforts or changes. As the calendar turns to October, we can easily tell ourselves we’ll take stock, set goals, or improve habits once January rolls around. But these last 90 days can set the stage for powerful, positive changes. We can use what’s left of the year to experiment, refine, and prepare ourselves to step into the new year already moving in the right direction.

Think of it this way… while most people press pause until January 1st, you can use these 90 days as your personal practice round. Instead of drifting, you can intentionally choose what to keep, tweak, or toss. It’s a perfect time to try small experiments and see what works best. You can enter the new year lighter, clearer, and more aligned with your vision. Here’s a simple plan for making the best of the rest of the year.

Create a Vision

These last 90 days are a perfect time to slow down and think about where you want to go. Instead of waiting until January to hurriedly jot down resolutions, use this window to slow down and reflect. Ask yourself: What kind of person do I want to be? How do I want to feel at work and at home? What impact do I want to make? When you take time now to picture your future self, you give your brain a head start. You can think about where you are now compared to where you want to be and begin aligning small choices and habits with that vision before the new year even begins. You can consider what is currently working, what you want to keep. You can also decide what might work better with a bit of tweaking. Last, you can decide what doesn’t fit with your vision, what you want to toss.

What will you keep?

Before rushing into changes, take a moment to notice what’s already serving you well, like the ideas below:

Routines that bring peace-  Is there a morning ritual, like setting a daily intention or a podcast or playlist for your commute that sets a positive tone? Keep it.

Habits that reduce stress- Maybe you’ve found a grading strategy that saves time or a planning rhythm that helps you feel in control. Protect those practices.

Connections that fuel you- Nurture the relationships—colleagues, students, or even your own support system—that lift you up.

Sometimes we forget that consistency is powerful. Naming what’s working helps you hold onto those strengths when things feel messy.

What will you tweak?

Some habits and commitments just need a little adjustment. Consider the ideas below:

Time tweaks- If you’re staying at school too late, experiment with a “hard stop” time. Even shaving 20 minutes off your day can protect your energy.

Grading shifts- Try grading in shorter, focused bursts instead of marathons. Or switch to giving more feedback in class, saving you time at home.

Energy check-ins- Pay attention to your natural rhythms. If you have the most energy in the morning, plan your most demanding tasks then.

Small tweaks can create big changes. Think of them as little experiments—you don’t have to commit forever.

What will you toss?

The last 90 days are also a great time to release the habits, commitments, or expectations that drain you. See if you need to toss any of the habits below:

Overcommitments- Do you need to be on every committee? Can you gracefully bow out of something that doesn’t align with your vision?

Perfectionism- Toss the idea that everything has to be perfect. “Good enough” lessons often lead to engaged learning, without burning you out.

Unhelpful routines- If a certain habit leaves you frustrated—like checking email at night or eating lunch at your desk—try letting it go.

Tossing is not failure, it’s wisdom. It’s making space for what matters most.

Little Experiments

The last 90 days don’t require resolutions or big commitments, just little experiments. The final stretch of the year is the perfect testing ground. What if you used these months to try small changes with your teaching, your schedule, or your self-care? Think like a scientist: collect data, reflect, and adjust. You’ll head into the new year knowing more about yourself and what works for you. As you experiment, keep these guiding questions in mind: What brings me joy? Pay attention to the practices, people, and moments that light you up. Joy is fuel, and it’s worth protecting. What brings me closer to my vision? Think about the kind of teacher (and the kind of person) you want to be. Choose habits and commitments that align with that vision.

Wrapping Up the Year

Most people will coast through the last 90 days of the year, waiting for January 1st to start fresh. But you can use this time to take stock, experiment, and shape the habits that will carry you into the new year, already moving in the direction you want to go. Keep what works. Tweak what needs a small shift. Toss what weighs you down. Try new habits that bring you joy and align with your vision. By the time the calendar turns, you won’t just be making resolutions, you’ll already be on your way.

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