October: The Perfect Month to Get Organised — in Business and at Home

There’s something about October that feels like a gentle reset button. The whirlwind of summer has passed, the nights are drawing in, and routines start to feel more settled again. It is the start of the final quarter (Q4) of the year.  It’s that moment before the festive rush begins — a quiet window where you can take stock, tidy up, and feel a little more in control before everything ramps up.

Whether it’s your inbox, your to-do list, or that cupboard full of half-finished ideas (business or home!), October is the perfect month to get organised.

1. Business Reset: Clear the Digital ‘Cupboards’

Just like you might clear out a kitchen drawer or cupboard before Christmas, it’s worth giving your business systems a bit of attention now too.

A few things to ask yourself:

• Do your current systems still work for the way your business runs now?
• Are there tasks you’re repeating that could be automated, simplified or even delegated?
• Is your to-do list growing faster than you can tick things off?

October is a brilliant time to pause and refresh. Review what’s cluttering up your digital space — old folders, out-of-date templates, forgotten notes — and think about how you can simplify things, get caught up and organised before the end-of-year rush. Small changes now can make a huge difference in how calm (or chaotic!) November and December feel.

2. Simplify, Don’t Overhaul

Getting organised doesn’t mean throwing everything out and starting again. It’s about spotting where things could flow a little better.

• Maybe it’s time to create one central place for client data, instead of juggling email threads. 
• Maybe you need a clearer weekly plan so you know what’s a priority and what can wait.
• Or maybe you just need to take half an hour to tidy up your desktop (all those icons and documents causing clutter).

Simplifying your systems gives you time back, something I love to offer — time to focus on the things that matter most in your business, or your personal life.

3. Getting Ahead of the Festive Frenzy

The festive season always creeps up on us more quickly than we think. Once November arrives, diaries fill up, inboxes ping non-stop, and suddenly everything feels urgent.

So while things are still (relatively!) calm, October is the ideal time for planning ahead. A few small steps now — updating client availability in your calendar, blocking out time for your own admin, or even jotting down early Christmas ideas — will mean far less panic later.

Think of it like stirring your Christmas cake early: a little preparation (remember the 6Ps) now brings a much smoother result later on.  I will be making my Christmas cake before the end of the month, and if not in very early November, so I  have time to feed it before the big day. 

4. The Real Benefit: Breathing Space

When your systems are in order and your priorities are clear, you naturally create space — in your mind as well as in your calendar. And that’s what being organised is really about: not perfection, but peace of mind.

You’ll have more time to focus on clients, make plans, and even enjoy the little things that make this season special — from crisp autumn walks to a cosy afternoon with a coffee (or tea or something stronger) and a notebook, or novel (or self-development book).

In a Nutshell

October is your calm before the storm — the ideal month to tidy, review, and simplify. Whether you start with your inbox, your calendar, or your Christmas list, taking a little time now will help you finish the year strong (and a lot less stressed).

If you’d like gentle, practical tips on running your business more smoothly — and staying calm through the busy months ahead — sign up for my Pearls of Wisdom newsletter. It’s a little monthly boost of clarity, calm and confidence for business owners who want to work smarter, not harder.