The Great Lock In: Your 115-Day Sprint to Finish Strong and Start Bold

It’s human nature for motivation to ebb and flow. Seasons shift, life gets busy, and suddenly the goals you set back in January feel… distant. But there’s something about fall that always feels like a natural reset. The air turns crisp, routines return, and we get that back-to-school buzz, even if there aren’t any kids in your house. Fall is a transitional season, and with just a few months left in the year, it offers us a choice, coast through to December or lock in and finish strong.

This year, a trend called “The Great Lock In” has been making waves on TikTok. At its heart, it’s simple: commit to a period of intense, focused action. 115 days from now until the end of the year, to set yourself up for success in the next. And honestly? I love it. Not because I believe in quick fixes or New Year’s resolutions, I’ve never been big on those, but because a defined window of focus can change everything. 

Maybe 2025 hasn’t unfolded exactly the way you hoped. Maybe you started a career pivot months ago, only to get stuck in the messy middle. Or perhaps you’re just tired of feeling like you’re “in motion” but not really moving forward. Where does the time go? The Great Lock In offers a cultural reset before the holiday rush swallows the calendar. Not to do everything, rather to do the right things, intentionally, for a set period of time. And when it comes to doing big things in your career, that kind of structured focus can be game-changing.

There’s no one-size-fits-all rulebook here. For some, it’s about health and fitness. For others, finances or creative projects. But if you’re reading this, chances are your version is career-focused:

Landing that promotion
Securing a new role
Building your side hustle
Finally finishing your career pivot

Before you consider jumping on the trend, know one thing. Your sprint must be about your why, not someone else’s expectations or a trend you’re borrowing from social media. External validation can be a trap. Your Lock In should be deeply personal, and yes, it should stretch you.

I’ve chosen a keystone habit this year: living in the gain, not the gap. Every morning, I write down my three most important needle-moving tasks. Every evening, I celebrate what I accomplished. It’s simple, but it compounds. That’s the essence of a Lock In. It’s not magic. It’s focus, repeated daily, until you’ve laid a foundation for something bigger. 

🔍For job seekers, that might mean shifting from endless online applications (that haven’t worked so far) to more meaningful actions like networking and real conversations.

🔍For entrepreneurs, it might mean carving out the time to launch that offer or finally nurture that list.

🔍For anyone in transition, it’s about momentum, and momentum loves structure.

Create Your Own Lock In Blueprint

1. Define Realistic Goals
   Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Choose a goal that matters and is achievable in 121 days. There are no magic formulas for overnight success. When you complete the Great Lock in, you will have a solid foundation for lasting change.
   
   
2. Prioritize Flexibility Over Perfection
   The win is consistency, not rigidity. Life happens. Adapt, don’t abandon.
   
   
3. Document Your Progress
   Whether through a journal, habit tracker, or simple nightly reflection, track your wins. They add up.
   
   
4. Build Boundaries
   You can’t lock in without shutting something out. Reduce distractions. Stop social scrolling, unnecessary commitments, or energy-draining tasks that don’t serve your end goal.
   
   
5. Balance Discipline with Joy
   Sprints are uncomfortable by nature. Offset the grind with cozy rituals and self-care. Celebrate those wins! Big and small.
   
   

By the time the year ends, you won’t just have checked a box, you’ll have built new habits, renewed your mindset, and positioned yourself for a stronger 2026. You’ll have proven to yourself that you can take focused, intentional action even in a busy season. And that confidence? It spills into everything, your income, your opportunities, and your sense of purpose.

What’s one bold, meaningful commitment you could make for the next 115 days?
And if your goal is to finish a career pivot before the new year, whether that’s moving from corporate to something more meaningful, building your portfolio career, or launching your own venture, I would love to connect. Grab your spot on my calendar for your complementary career igniter call. Don’t wait for January. Start today. Lock in. Finish strong.
Schedule here: https://calendly.com/mariadastur/connectioncall