Most people wait until January to reassess and “reset.” Whether you write down your resolutions, set new weekly or monthly goals, you “know” it’s time for a change. Honestly, by the time January rolls around, you may likely be exhausted from the holidays, buried in emails, feeling behind and/or trying to catch up while still on vacation. I don’t know about you, but for me, the momentum is gone before it even starts.
So here is a question for you: What if you started early? September is the perfect month to pause, settle in, and assess. My business coach does it every year. She takes time to ask:
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What’s working?
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What’s not?
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What do I want more of?
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What do I want less of?
Mel Robbins shared a similar idea in her podcast last fall: don’t wait for the new year to start fresh. Use September as the launch pad to power through the end of the year. While others are winding down, you can ramp up.
The Power of an Assessment Pause
When you get dressed, do you feel confident and ready to rock your day, or do you feel frumpy, small, and uncomfortable in your clothes? I was recently on a networking call, and the colleague mentioned they “just threw on whatever worked.” They didn’t have a lot of calls or meetings, so what they put was “fine.”
An assessment pause isn’t about tearing everything down. It’s about making small, intentional shifts that set you up for success. This practice can apply to your business, your leadership style, your habits — and yes, your wardrobe.
I say this often: your brand never sleeps. The way you show up each day either reinforces your goals and how you want people to perceive you, or it holds you back. As I share in my book, The Style Advantage: I Say What HR Can’t, 93% of communication is non-verbal. Before you even open your mouth, your presence is already speaking for you. I recently listened to a podcast, and the guest shared how when she writes down her goals, she thinks of the adjectives she would like people to use to describe her. For example, conscientious, professional, responsible, collaborative, and so on.
Your clothes, your grooming, and your energy are all part of the story you tell. The real question is: are your clothes telling people the story you want to share?
How Style Fits Into the Equation
Ask yourself: Does your wardrobe reflect who you are becoming, or is it stuck in who you used to be?
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Do you have pieces that make you feel confident and empowered, or do you default to outfits and pieces that are “fine” and don’t really inspire you?
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Does what you wear every day align with the goals and values you’re working toward?
Small changes make a big impact. Finding a new piece that fits properly, adding a new color, upgrading a blazer, refining your accessories, or updating your shoes can shift how you feel and how others perceive you. Over time, these tweaks will compound into a stronger presence, increased confidence, and more opportunities.
Finish the Year Strong, Start the New Year Ahead
Imagine walking into January already aligned, confident, and on brand. Why not you? While others are just starting to think about resolutions, you’ve already made shifts and built momentum towards your goals. That’s the power of pausing and assessing in September.
It’s not about doing more, it’s about being intentional and paying attention to small details. When you do that with your presence and wardrobe, you amplify your impact and set yourself apart.
Your Turn
Here’s a simple way to start: as you get dressed each day, make a quick note in your phone or on paper. Ask yourself:
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How do I feel in this outfit?
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Did I receive compliments?
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Did it fit properly, or did I struggle to find something that worked?
Turn the hanger around every time you wear something, and at the end of thirty days, you’ll have a clearer picture of what’s working and what’s not.
This week, take a moment to pause and assess:
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What’s working in your style and brand?
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What’s not serving you anymore?
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What’s one shift you can make before the end of the year?
- In an ideal world, how would you imagine changing your style and showing up?
✨ There is no better time to align your wardrobe and presence with your goals. If you’re busy, feeling overwhelmed, and unsure where or how to start, let’s talk. Send me a message and I’ll help you create a plan to finish the year strong and step into the new one with confidence. You can book a complimentary call here.