Most people think of “seasons” as spring, summer, fall, and winter. When one season changes into the next, it’s our cue from Mother Nature to pause, assess, and prepare for what’s next.
But there are other seasons in our lives, too. And they don’t always neatly line up with the seasons of nature.
For example, summer vacation ends and kids go back to school while it’s still officially summer.
And while fall is traditionally considered harvest season, in the agriculture industry, the timing of harvest depends on the crop. Some crops (like strawberries and cherries) are harvested in the spring. Wine grapes are harvested when the sugar levels match the winery’s specifications … usually in late summer.
And just as the seasons of nature signal a change to the rhythms of the natural world, so do our seasons bring their own shifts.
The grape harvest signals my husband’s winery that it’s time for the long days and late nights of crush season. Back-to-school means more structure and responsibility to our days.
And your work-from-home business also has its own rhythms that shift with the seasons … natural or otherwise.
If you pay attention, these seasonal transitions — like summer turning into fall — are perfect opportunities to hit refresh on your systems so you can keep momentum without burning out.
Why Seasonal Shifts Are the Perfect Reset Moments
Think of the changing seasons as a built-in calendar reminder to check your tools, adjust your routines, and clear out what’s outdated.
Whether it’s the back-to-school buzz in August, the fresh-start energy of January, or the slowing pace of late December, these shifts are your chance to re-align your work habits with your current reality.
Ignoring these moments can leave you feeling stuck, like you’re still wearing flip flops in a snowstorm — functional in theory, but not a great fit.
The Problem with “Set It and Forget It” Systems
Even the best WFH setup will eventually fall out of sync if you never adjust it. Your workload changes, client needs evolve, and life outside of work can bring new demands. Without a reset, you risk:
- Tools you no longer use cluttering your workspace
- Routines that no longer serve your energy or goals
- Calendars crammed with commitments you forgot to evaluate
That’s why seasonal systems checks aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re a productivity and sanity saver.
How to Do a Seasonal WFH Systems Check
Your systems touch every part of your work-from-home life — energy, tools, routines, and boundaries. A seasonal check ensures everything is still working for you, not against you.
Here’s where to start:
1. Check your energy flow.
Are you working with your natural energy highs and lows, or against them? If your afternoons have gotten sluggish lately, maybe it’s time to shift deep work to the morning and lighter tasks to later in the day.
2. Audit your tools.
From project management software to your trusty desk lamp, make sure everything you use daily is still functional, relevant, and helping you do your job better. Retire anything that adds friction instead of flow.
3. Review your routines.
Anchor routines — like a morning planning block or end-of-day desk reset — help ground your workdays. Are your current ones still working? If not, adjust or replace them.
4. Tighten your boundaries.
Check your start/stop times, your break habits, and your client communication windows. If they’ve gotten loose, now’s the time to reinforce them.
5. Declutter your calendar.
Seasons change, and so do your priorities. Scrub your calendar of recurring tasks, meetings, or commitments that no longer serve your goals.
The Win-Win of Seasonal Resets
When you treat seasonal changes as a natural cue to check and refresh your WFH systems, you don’t just get more organized — you get more aligned. You’ll work with the season instead of against it, which means less stress, more clarity, and the energy to show up at your best.
Action Step
Do a WFH Systems Check by next Friday. (If you’re a Tenacious WFH Insider or VIP, download this month’s Mini Power Tool — the WFH Systems Check Checklist — and use it to make this even easier.)
Let this seasonal transition be the moment you step back, reset, and realign your systems so they fit the season you’re in now — not the one you’ve outgrown.