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October. There’s a chill in the air now.

Autumn has arrived. One season is coming to a close and another is beginning.

When a season comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to finish projects.

Wrap things up. Get shit DONE.

There’s so much satisfaction in finishing something.

I’m working on finishing redecorating my daughters’ bedrooms. Painting, moving furniture, hanging lights and pictures on the walls.

Then there’s setting up the learning stations for school. Unpacking supplies, organizing their desks, and filling pencil holders.

The three therapists I just hired need to be onboarded and trained so they can begin seeing clients.

I want to finish the last three chapters of the book I’ve been reading.

It will feel good to put the finishing touches on projects I started quite some time ago.

But life is very much like the changing season.

There isn’t a distinct separation between Summer and Fall. Early October invites warm, sunny days and cool, crisp ones.

One season bleeds into another. Some things end as new ones begin, all at the same time.

This phenomenon is happening in my life as well. As I work to finish certain projects, I’m also beginning a new, exciting one; PUPPY TRAINING.

We just welcomed a new fur baby to our family and the adventure of life with a puppy has begun.

I’m excited and also not sure I’m ready for middle-of-the-night potty breaks, chewed shoes, and crate training.

I love snuggling our new baby, playing tug-of-war, and watching her learn about this big, beautiful world.

Yet, I worry that our cats will never forgive me for bringing a stranger into their domain, and I often feel like the many demands of a puppy dictate my life.

All projects bring excitement and fear. Pleasure and pain. Hard work and happiness.

A push-pull dynamic. You want to do it, but you’re not ready to do it.

I’ll never be ready for a puppy because there will never come a time when the hard parts of puppy training become easy. There will always be a downside to raising a good dog.

Just like there will always be a downside to starting a business, creating a new offer, writing a book, establishing a new workout routine, or entering a new relationship.

You’ll never be ready- at least it feels that way when you focus on the negative aspects.

But there’s so much good in all these things that you don’t want to miss out on.

I don’t want to miss out on giving and receiving love from this sweet, adorable pup.

I want to experience the joy of getting to know her personality, seeing my kids play with her, and laughing at her reactions when she becomes surprised.

Moments like these make life rich and meaningful.

When I think about all the good, I feel ready.

So, as we move from one season to another, finishing some projects and starting others, let’s both practice focusing on the good- the parts that light us up and make us feel ready for anything.

Let’s acknowledge the downside and go for it anyway.

Let’s take the chance with open hearts and minds and trust ourselves to figure it out as we go.

If you want to tell me about a project you’re thinking of starting in this new season, I’d love to hear about it. Email me! (nicole@nicoleiacovoni.com)