In this post we’ll chat thru…

① WHAT a QUARTERLY CHECK IN meeting is + WHY I do it
② Q’s to help you REFLECT on the past quarter + PREP for a new one
③ How to GET BACK ON TRACK + make PROGRESS towards what matters most

This website includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products + tools that I have personally reviewed, love, and/or use. You can read the full statement HERE.

I can’t believe we’re already heading into Q2 of 2023. For me it’s been a “head down” kinda start to the year and I’m excited to come up for some air and take inventory of where I’m at + where I’d like to go.

Most people set goals at the top of a year and then never consider them again until it comes time to wrap up a year. By that time the goals seem SO FAR away. Both from the time you actually said you were committing to them and quite possibly, from how far you still need to go to make strides. It’s a vicious cycle and one that I realized wasn’t serving me. So nowadays, I have a much better way. Quarterly Check Ins.

WHAT IS A QUARTERLY CHECK IN?!

It’s a chance to check in on your goals and the methods you’re using to work toward them to see if they still align with your overall vision. As our seasons change (expectedly and unexpectedly) sometimes we have to shift our goals, too. Let me be the first to say that THAT IS OKAY! Goals are tools that help you MOVE FORWARD and MAKE PROGRESS. Not chains that keep you feeling like you’re falling short.

WHEN DO I DO A CHECK IN?!

At the start of a fresh quarter (January, April, July, October)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?!

It’s a moment to slow down and intentionally look at what’s working and what’s not. Assessing whether your goals are in alignment with your overall vision and to tweak any methods / actions / behaviors that aren’t leading you closer to where you desire to move.

LET’S START BY REFLECTING…

Alright so let’s dive in!!! First thing I do when a fresh quarter is here is take a moment to reflect on where I’m currently at. Below are a few questions you can use as prompts to help get you going.

Reflection Q’s:

• What are my original goals for the year? (ps…this is an awesome time to set some goals if you haven’t!)

• What am I proud of/celebrating from last quarter?

• What didn’t work well last quarter? Why is that?

• What has been getting my attention this quarter? Is this in alignment with my goals?

• What have I been consistent with that is benefiting me + my goals? What have I been consistent with that is NOT benefiting me + my goals?

OKAY. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN…

You feel far behind? You’re not “there” yet? You fall short? Or you have a LOT going on?!

I get it. You just took time to reflect and you realize you haven’t been very focused or intentional with your goals. Been there. Done that. And I have to include this section bc I’m a realist. I would be doing you a disservice if I simply assumed that every chunk of 90 days would flow perfectly. That’s Just. Not. Realistic. There’s this thing called life and as much as we can plan + prep…things happen and the outcome is often not in our control.

The instinct for so many is to give up. It’s again why so many people set goals and never revisit them.

INSTEAD of that instinct…let’s reassess. Evaluate. Get honest about where you’re at. Extend grace to yourself. And remember that the GOAL IS NOT ALWAYS THE PROBLEM. The problem is typically being off track.

HOW TO GET BACK ON TRACK…

I love this goal setting roadmap that Rachel Hollis uses in her book “Girl, Stop Apologizing.” Often we think that our goals are the problem, but really the problem is that we’ve just gotten a little off track.

If I were driving to visit my family in Michigan, I would turn on my GPS here in Dallas and plug in my end destination. I’d know what my halfway point is and maybe a few other stops along the way to ensure I was on track and on time. Along the way, if I were to get off track, my friendly guide “Siri” would let me know in some fancy accent that I needed to make a u-turn or reroute so I could get back to where I wanted to go. Our goals are the same way. We need to know where we’re headed, how we can break that down into bite size, manageable chunks, and then how we can recalculate (aka QUARTERLY MEETINGS!!!) when we get a little off track…bc it happens!

Two things that MIGHT NOT BE SERVING YOU

Let’s go back to my road trip analogy. First. If I were off track I wouldn’t just throw in the towel and turn back to go home. You set a goal for a reason and that is going to require you to get uncomfortable. Honor that and get back on track. Find ONE SIMPLE THING you can do that will immediately get you moving in the right direction. For example, if you were starting a workout routine this year and you fell off, starting today you can get outside for a walk.

And second. If I were off track I wouldn’t just drive deeper into the woods. Just like going back to your comfort zone isn’t serving you, neither is a downward spiral. And the only way out of a downward spiral is to simply make a different decision.

Q’s TO ASK TO MAKE MOVEMENT IN THE NEXT QUARTER

We can’t stop at the reflection. We have to make a GAME PLAN for how we want the next 90 days to g down. So. The next step is to PREP for the next 90 days. This is where you take your POWER back, sis. Take a moment to ask yourself the following questions and journal your responses.

Q’s to Help you Prep for a Fresh Quarter:

• What would progress LOOK + FEEL like in 90 days?

• What are you committing to in Q2?! What is a SOLID Q2 goal?

• What new habits and routines do I need to implement to better support my vision?

• What plans/responsibilities are coming up this quarter? Any obstacles that might get in my way?

• What is stopping you from achieving your goal/what would it take?

No matter where you’re at in your journey, I know that taking time each quarter to pause and reflect on your goals, navigate where you’re off track so you can make tweaks/adjustments, and really dig into what needs focus + attention in the coming months is going to be a GAME CHANGER for your progress. I hope this helped you get EXCITED for a fresh quarter and I can’t wait to cheer you on as you make progress towards what matters most.

NEED MORE HELP?!

I get it and I’ve got you. 😉 Working towards your goals can be tough stuff, but one of my fave places to start is to use a tracker. Habits STICK when we repeat them over time, right? And tracking my habits daily (whether it’s water, how I show up in my mornings, or even tracking the various ways I’m caring for me + others day in and day out) makes a difference. I’ve put together my FAVE self care habit trackers in a ✨FREE✨ bundle just for you. #you’rewelcome

Be sure to tag me on social so I can celebrate your efforts + cheer you on!

SNAG YOUR FREE TRACKERS HERE