EP: 044 Ending the Year Strong w/ Sarah Reiff-Hekking

This week, I welcomed back Sarah Reiff-Hekking to dive into a topic that resonates with so many of us—how to navigate the overwhelming demands of the fall season and maintain productivity (and sanity!) as we approach the holidays and the end of the year. If you’ve ever felt a wave of anxiety triggered by the sight of Christmas decorations in October or the reminder that “Q4” is flying by, you’re not alone.

Sarah shared actionable strategies—from mindful breathing to practical time blocking—to help you stay grounded, focused, and resilient. We wrapped up with advice on tuning out the social media “noise” and focusing on real, personal priorities.

Key Takeaways:

Name the “Fall Freakout” and Normalize It: The sense of stress and overwhelm in October and November isn’t just you—it’s a confluence of shifting routines, holiday expectations, and mounting year-end pressure. Acknowledging this helps us respond intentionally rather than reactively.
Return to the Present Moment: When anxiety kicks in, the first step is to physically bring yourself back—to notice your breath, your feet on the ground, and where you are right now. Mindful grounding calms your nervous system and helps you regain focus.
Clarify What’s Meaningful and Important: Get clear on your most meaningful goals, both professionally and personally. If everything feels important, dig deeper and ask yourself: “Why do I care about this?” Prioritize your top 2-3 “big rocks” and let the rest go. Remember, not everything makes your cut.
Be Strategic About What You Say Yes (and No) To: You can’t (and shouldn’t!) do it all. Proactively decide how many commitments you’ll take on each week, leave room for spontaneity if you value it, and practice pausing before you say yes. Planning to delay a task isn’t procrastination if it’s intentional and fits your bigger plan.
Manage Your Environment and External Influences: Social media and retail environments can trigger “shoulds” and inject noisy expectations. Turn down the external pressure and lean into what’s genuinely important for you and your family. Don’t let comparison steal your joy—or your time.

You can watch the full video of our conversation on YouTube here:

You can also find the audio versions on places like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever else you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Make sure to check out Sarah's work below:

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