The First of the 9th Month

Your Reset, Your Final Quarter, Lets Talk Strategy!  

First things first: if you woke up today, you’ve already come far. I’m not talking about money, cars, titles, or whatever you might picture when people say, “look how far I’ve come.” I mean simply being here. Still breathing in the year 2025. Still showing up, no matter what you’ve been through. That’s progress, and it deserves a pat on the back.

Now, here’s the thing: we’ve made it to the 9th month. September. That means we’re entering the final quarter of the year… September, October, November, December. And instead of stressing about bills, rent, or even what Labor Day really means (besides barbecues and back to school sales), I want you to use this moment as your reset. A chance to pause, look forward, and build a little plan for yourself.

And the best part? You don’t need to buy anything to do this. It’s free. All you have to do is read along, then try it for yourself.

Here’s Why Strategy Matters & I’ll Explain it Like You’re Five

Think about going on a roadtrip. If you just jump in the car without checking the gas, packing your bag, or grabbing snacks, chances are you’ll end up stuck, hungry, or lost. Strategy is your “pre trip check.” It’s how you make sure you’re ready for the road ahead, even if surprises pop up.

When you strategize, you’re simply:

1. Thinking about what’s coming.
2. Writing it down so your brain doesn’t have to carry it all.
3. Doing one step at a time, so you’re moving forward instead of standing still.

That’s it. Strategy isn’t some big scary business word. It’s just your way of making sure you’re prepared.

Here’s My September Example (So You See How This Works)

For me, September is jam packed. It’s filled with the things I love, the opportunities I’ve worked for, and the fears that naturally come with growth. There are film festivals, networking events, shoots, premieres, art deadlines, art shows, magazine events, workshops, edits, and day to day responsibilities at HQ. It’s exciting, but it also has the potential to be overwhelming if I don’t map it out.

Let me show you what I mean:

• Week One: Newark International Film Festival. That means a lot of handshakes, introductions, and telling people who I am (over and over again). Honestly? I don’t love this part. But strategy reminds me it’s necessary, because connections are seeds that grow later. The tail end, Traveling to New York for a Still Frame shoot, then right back to the festival that evening for my film premiere in my hometown. Here’s a tip: sometimes the people closest to you won’t show up. Friends, family… it can sting. But strategy helps me focus on what I can control: showing up for myself.

• Week Two: Back in Pennsylvania for one on one sessions and jumping on set again as an actor in New Jersey. It’s been a while since I played that role, but strategy gives me the mental room to embrace new (and old) opportunities without panicking. This opportunity was written when I started writing out my rebrand strategy… so I couldn’t say no to this opportunity. I mean I did ask the universe for it. Lastly to get my paintings complete by the 14th “fingers crossed”

• Week Three: Fig magazine Fall cover release event on the 16th, Open house art show at the Alternative Art Gallery on the 18th, where I will display Ordinary People. This will be my first time showing my paintings in a public space outside of my own. New fears, new excitement. My strategy here? Set a deadline: finish every piece by the 14th so I’m not rushing on the 17th. Lehigh University 100 years art show on the 19th, workshops, daily responsibilities at HQ, more shoots, edits, and yes even getting my hair done more times in three weeks than I thought possible. Without strategy? I’d probably drown. With it? I can breathe… with a huge shout out to “little Kim”

• Week Four: A few meetings for new ideas, collaborations, and yup… back to strategizing for October, “yes I’ve included some me time”

Its a lot and That’s why I strategize!

I know there will be days where I’m shaking hands with strangers and repeating who I am more times than I care to. There will be nights where I’m rushing from one event to the next, reminding myself that not everyone I know will show up for me, and I’ve learned to be okay with that. There will be deadlines on creative projects, like finishing my paintings for Ordinary People, that stretch me in new ways and force me to face the vulnerable side of putting my art into the world.

On top of that, I still have the behind the scenes work: one on one sessions, workshops, shoots, edits, even deciding what I’m going to wear to half of these events. All of it adds up quickly, and without strategy, I’d burn out fast. With strategy, I give myself a fighting chance to enjoy the process, be present, not just survive it.

“THIS IS YOUR BLUEPRINT”

Alright, Here’s How to Build Your Own Strategy

Let’s make it simple, using what I call “Think, Write, Do”.. (and not my workshop haha) 

1. Think: Look ahead. What’s coming up this month? School, work, family stuff, personal projects, even fun plans. Big or small, it all counts.
2. Write: Don’t keep it in your head. That’s like trying to carry groceries without a bag, something will always drop. Use your phone calendar, a notebook, or even sticky notes. Write down:
   
   • Things you have to do (non-negotiable stuff like work shifts or bills).
   • Things you want to do (like going to the gym, reading, or creating).
   • Things you wish to do (dreams, hobbies, or ideas you hope to try).
3. Do: Take one step at a time. Circle or star the most important tasks. Then actually schedule them into your week. Example: instead of saying “I want to exercise more,” write “walk at 6 p.m. Tuesday.” Now it’s real.

Extra Tips for Strategy

• Set Reminders: Your phone can be your assistant. Let it ping you when it’s time to do the thing.
• Batch Similar Tasks: Doing laundry? Pay bills at the same time. Editing videos? Answer emails after. Grouping helps your brain stay in the zone.
• Leave Wiggle Room: Don’t pack your schedule so tight that one hiccup ruins your day. Give yourself buffer time.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Did one thing on your list? Awesome. Clap for yourself. That tiny celebration keeps you going.
• Be Kind to Yourself: Life will happen. You won’t do it all perfectly. Strategy isn’t about perfection, it’s about preparation.

Listen, September isn’t about being perfect or reinventing yourself overnight. It’s about using what you already have (your brain, your journal/planner, your phone, your time) to set yourself up for the last stretch of the year.

So here’s your homework: before you go to bed tonight, write down three things, just three, for September:

1. Something you must do.
2. Something you want to do.
3. Something you wish to do.

If you’re like me on this Sunday evening, you’re not at a cookout or out partying. You’ve got quiet time. Use it. Start jotting. Even if it’s messy, even if it’s small, those first notes are the seeds of your strategy. Look at me, I was able to write my strategy and a blog post “pats self on back”

Remember: Think. Write. Do. One step at a time. You’ve already come this far. Now let’s finish the year strong, together

Hope this helps,

⁃ B