Dear Carolyn,

I've always found the transition from summer to fall to be one of the hardest seasonal transitions. While others love the fresh energy of back-to-school, it takes me a bit longer to adjust to the shorter, busier days, structured days. Thankfully, I remember that ski season is right around the corner!!

As we shift from the warmth and light of summer to the cold and darkness of fall, many of us experience changes in our routines, energy levels, and even mindsets. One key way I navigate this seasonal transition effectively is by remembering to practice radical responsibility—the idea that I take complete ownership of my actions, choices, and outcomes, regardless of external factors.

We are exploring this powerful idea with one of our Leading Self Cohorts, leaning into the wisdom found in The 15 Habits of Conscious Leaders. It teaches us that by embracing this mindset we can make a significant difference in both our personal and professional lives. It can help us maintain consistency, overcome challenges, and stay focused on our goals, especially during times of change like the transition from summer to fall.

Below I'm sharing a few key ideas about practicing Radical Responsibility, and some actionable tips for you to consider! Give them a read and then reply with your own tips for living fully into your own radical responsibility this fall.

1. Own Your Energy and Productivity

As the days get shorter and colder, it’s easy to fall into the trap of blaming external factors. Radical responsibility puts you in control and at the center and helps to flip this perspective.

Instead of seeing the shift in seasons as something that "happens to you," you can embrace the fact that you have control over your energy and how you respond to the changing environment. This could mean adjusting your schedule to fit your natural energy patterns, adopting new habits like morning exercise or meal prepping to stay energized, or revisiting your productivity strategies to stay focused, no matter the season.

Actionable Tip: How optimized are your energy sources: mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual? What adjustments could you make to optimize these areas? Here are a few I usually start with:

No screens in the bedroom
Drink more water
Listen to a meditation recording
Get back in the gym
Eliminate sugar
What else?

2. Maintain Personal Accountability in Addressing your Time Wasters

DISC behavioural profiles teach us that each behavioural style has a commonly associated time waster. Personally I love nothing more than to jump right in when someone asks for my help or guidance..."what do you need? Of course I can help. Jump on a call today? Of course!" Knowing your style time waster is key to addressing the ways that we can sabotage our own personal accountability and ability to lose sight of our key objectives.

Actionable Tip: Understand your time wasters. Do a time management audit and review how closely the two are associated. Practice getting uncomfortable and behaving differently than your natural go-to. I'll be working on saying no to last-minute phone calls!

Don't know your behavioural DISC style and associate time waster...we can help you with that!

3. Strengthening Your Leadership Through Personal Integrity

For those in leadership positions or aspiring to lead, the ability to practice radical responsibility sets a powerful example for others. When you consistently take ownership of your choices, your attitude, and your outcomes—no matter the circumstances—you build trust, credibility, and respect. When you falter on your commitments this works in reverse…you lose credibility, trust, and respect.

Actionable Tip: As a leader, make it a point to communicate your personal standards of accountability during challenging times. Encourage your team to take ownership of their work and support them by showing how you stay focused and motivated, despite external difficulties.

Embracing Radical Responsibility is A Full-Time Job!

Taking radical responsibility doesn’t stop at any particular season or stage of business—it’s a year-round, full-time practice. In challenging times, it is a reminder to go deeper. By owning your energy, emotions, and adaptability, you can not only navigate these transitions and challenges more smoothly but also set yourself up for continued personal and professional success.

Ready to embrace radical responsibility and lead yourself more effectively? Let’s set up a call today to explore what this looks like for you and your team!

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