Winter is Coming

This week I’m finally accepting that the warm temps are over. I literally HATE the cold. Every year when Winter approaches, I can feel myself getting a little angry if I’m honest…

A few years ago I had somewhat of an epiphany around this…

If Earth only had summer, we'd all be in trouble…?

The first stretch of sunshine would feel great, but pretty soon, the relentless heat would wear down even the strongest trees. The land would dry up, unable to keep pace, and eventually, it’d burn out.?

As humans, we’re not that different. Just like the earth needs seasons, we need them too. Constant growth without rest is a recipe for burnout.

But we tend to forget that.? I sure as hell do.

We push ourselves to stay in "summer mode" all year round, thinking that if we’re not constantly producing, we’re falling behind.?

Here’s the truth: winter might feel harsh, but it’s necessary. It’s not about hibernating like a bear—it’s about taking a conscious step back, slowing down, and giving ourselves space to recharge.?

Winter is where the magic can actually happen.?

It’s when we prune away what’s no longer working, so we’re ready for fresh growth when spring comes.

Trees drop their leaves in Fall so they can start fresh. The soil rests in Winter to get the nutrients it needs. Without those seasons, Spring wouldn’t be possible. So why do we think we can skip that step in our own lives?

We’re conditioned to believe that progress only happens when we’re hustling—achieving, producing, doing all the things.?

But what if we embraced our own winters? What if slowing down was actually a power move, setting us up for more meaningful growth?

This isn’t just personal– this is for your business or team too.?

Q1 is your spring—new ideas, fresh starts, planting seeds. Q2 is summer—things are happening, projects are in full swing. By the time you hit Q3, it’s autumn. You’re evaluating what’s working, what needs tweaking, and you’re preparing for the future. And Q4? That’s winter. A time to slow down, reflect, and get ready for the next cycle.

Look at the companies that thrive long-term. They don’t just succeed in the high-energy "summer" periods. They’ve figured out how to winter. They pull back, reassess, refine. It’s not about losing momentum—it’s about making sure that when the next spring comes, they’re ready to grow in a way that’s sustainable.

Seasons exist for a reason. They keep the Earth in equilibrium.?

Shouldn’t we do the same for ourselves and our teams?

Cheers to Growth!

Hillarie Kay

Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Author of The Burnout Recovery System

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