RS353 - Summer Business Strategy: Set yourself up for a strong September

August can often feel like a strange limbo for solopreneurs and independent experts - a mix between wanting to relax and feeling pressured about what lies ahead in September. In this episode, Anna Lundberg shares practical strategies to help you enjoy the summer season, set realistic boundaries, and ensure you’re well-positioned both emotionally and financially for a strong return in the final quarter of the year. Whether you’re feeling guilty about slowing down or anxious about next month’s pipeline, this is the episode for you.

Key takeaways:

• Normalise the August Slowdown and Release Guilt

  • Many freelancers and business owners feel uneasy about taking a real break in August due to competing pressures — you’re not alone. Anna offers assurance and ways to reframe this period so you can truly pause and recharge.

• Set Intentional Goals for September

  • Rather than hustling harder, focus on one clear goal to achieve by early September. Identifying a single top priority, whether it’s recharging, rebooting your business model, reconnecting with contacts, or realising a project, will increase your clarity and motivation.

• Balance Your Summer with Boundaries and Non-Negotiables

  • Establish clear boundaries for work and family time. Anna discusses the importance of non-negotiables to ensure you avoid resentment and stay present, both at work and home.

• Asynchronous vs. Live Actions

  • Plan your tasks according to what can be done flexibly (like responding to emails or creating content), and which require you to be ‘live’ (like calls or workshops). This allows you to stay productive without overloading your schedule.

• Cashflow Quick Wins and Seeding September Sales

  • Anna provides actionable ideas to boost summer cashflow (such as chasing unpaid invoices or offering one-off services) and stresses that September sales need to be seeded now. Small, meaningful actions taken today can make autumn feel a world away from panic-driven.

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