The end of summer has been weird. I’m not sure if it’s just me or if it’s something more general, but being a human in these times is just… strange… hard… and kind of discouraging.

I’m normally a big planner. I love making a good plan (ask me how I approach rearranging a room sometime). But when it comes to work lately, I’ve been floundering. Partly because I have too many ideas and not enough time or energy to implement them. And partly because I’ve been more focused on family life and the transition into the new school year, which feels like a bigger deal this time around, since it’s our last year of elementary school. Next year… middle school. 😱

In the middle of all this, I’ve also been preparing for something exciting: I’m speaking at the Pay Yourself Summit, a free virtual event for small business owners who want to stop guessing and start consistently paying themselves, with confidence. More on that below, but it’s been a good reminder to walk my own talk when it comes to building systems that actually serve the life you want.

All of this adjusting has gotten me thinking about capacity. Specifically, checking in on mine and how I can make certain things more of a habit (like exercise). I’ve always been really good at overscheduling myself, but since leaving full-time corporate life, I’ve worked at letting myself move at a slower pace.

Lately though? I’ve been frustrated with my lack of progress in pretty much every area of life. And that frustration makes me antsy… which usually leads to me trying to schedule my way out of it.

Over the past month, I read two books that helped me rethink how I want to approach Q4 (and what’s left of September) in a way that lets me honor where I’m at, while still setting myself up for what’s next.

The Ambition Trap: How to Stop Chasing and Start Living by Amina AlTai was a huge reminder of the work I did when I started rethinking how I defined success and ambition while I was still considering leaving corporate.

And Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick by Wendy Wood gave me a fresh lens. As a former psychology major who loved biopsych, this book was a welcome return to a part of my brain I haven’t used (at least consciously) in a long time.

You wouldn’t think ambition and the psychology of habits are connected… but they are. 

Let’s get into it.

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This time of year usually sparks a fresh wave of planning… and the urge to go all in on big Q4 goals. But if you’re feeling stuck, slowed down, or just… unmotivated, you’re not alone.

I’ve been wrestling with what ambition looks like now and what kind of habits actually support the version of work and life I want going forward.

This month I’m sharing:

✨Want the full story? Click here to read the blog.

Why these books made the cut:
I don’t recommend just anything. These are titles I’ve read, loved, and still think about. Some links are affiliate, which helps support this newsletter, at no extra cost to you.

✨Reads of the Month:

🧭The Ambition Trap by Amina AlTai
Not all ambition is created equal. AlTai reframes the drive for achievement through the lens of purpose, joy, and sustainability. This one hit especially hard as I continue to redefine success on my own terms and question the stuff I used to chase just because I could.

🔁 Good Habits, Bad Habits by Wendy Wood
A masterclass in how habits actually work… beyond willpower and sticky notes. Wood, a leading researcher on habits, makes the case that nearly half of what we do each day is unconscious… and that building better habits starts with building better systems. Helpful if you’ve been feeling stuck or scattered heading into Q4.

📚 P.S. I read a lot… across strategy, memoir, psychology, and the occasional fantasy/romance/thriller/witchy novel. The book recs in this newsletter aren’t filler. They’re part of how I think, lead, and help clients navigate complexity. Want to see what else is on my shelf? Take a peek at my bookstore (affiliate link, updated regularly).

I only recommend things when I think, “Oh, this could actually help someone skip the spiral.” This is the stuff I use, enjoy, and would suggest over coffee if you mentioned the right kind of headache.

Affiliate/Referral note: I only recommend products I personally use and love. This link is an affiliate or referral link, which means I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you choose to purchase through it.

This month’s featured pick isn’t a product… it’s a practical event I’m excited to be part of:

💸 The Pay Yourself Summit

An online, totally free event running September 15–21 for entrepreneurs who are done guessing when (or if) they can pay themselves. 

Hosted by Terry Ramsey - a seasoned bookkeeper, business owner, and financial strategist - this summit delivers smart, real-world strategies for managing cash flow, building sustainable budgets, and creating systems that actually pay you back.

I’ll be speaking alongside some sharp voices in the space, and if you’ve been stuck in the “I’m working all the time but not seeing the return” loop, this one’s for you.
Pajamas welcome. Guilt not included.

Sign up here.

Hi, I’m Tara, Founder and Chief Alchemist of Alchemy Advising. I help growing businesses untangle their finances, rethink pricing, and build smarter systems so they can scale without burning out.

With nearly 20 years in operations and finance, including FP&A leadership at brands like HOKA and UGG, I now work with founders and execs who need clarity, not just spreadsheets. Think: budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and big-picture planning that actually connects to how your business runs day-to-day.

If this newsletter made you nod, pause, breathe a little easier, or curse less at your P&L, here’s what’s next: