Today I’m sharing a practice that will change your year. As we move into the second quarter of 2021, this is a practice that will help you this month and beyond.
What simple practice will change your year? A quarterly goals check in.
Whether you set specific goals for this year or not, this is a good time for reflection. Think of it as a progress report on your year. No shame or guilt needed. Just a simple and honest conversation with yourself about your year: where you are and where you want to be.
I use HEART Goals to set yearly goals, monthly and weekly goals, and even as a way to reset my day. If you’re new to HEART Goals, I’d recommend checking out this HEART Goals recap blog post or grabbing my HEART Goals Digital Guidebook. I believe in this system as a way to set your priorities so you can focus on the right things, and find the balance so you can live a beautiful life.
A quarterly goals check in is a way to set some benchmarks for the year. By putting pen to paper you get a clear picture of where you are. This practice is also a way to brain dump all the worry and stress. As we know, writing things down creates mental clarity!
If you have a Week on One Page planner, there is a goal check-in worksheet built right into your planner. Or you can download a FREE goal check-in worksheet here! You can use the guided prompts on this goal check-in worksheet on a monthly or quarterly basis.
To be clear, the quarterly goals check-in process works with any goal-setting system and any planner. The point is simply to check in with yourself. If you have a spouse or a partner and you have joint goals, you might consider asking them do to the check-in with you. It can even be a whole family activity!
I also find myself taking some time to journal during the quarterly goals check-in process. Here are three questions I ask myself at the beginning of every quarter!
1. What worked over the last few months?
Let’s count the wins! Document any successes. More importantly, identify things that brought you joy, helped you feel calmer, or made you grateful in the first quarter of 2021. We want more of this stuff, right?
2. What didn’t work over the last few months?
Here’s where we identify opportunities for growth. Make a list of the things that didn’t work for you and the obstacles you faced so far this year. This practice helps you realize how hard you’ve worked. When you put it on paper it’s easier to give yourself grace, see progress (no matter the size), and find the mental space to accept what didn’t work and move forward.
3. How do you want to feel on July 1?
Now let’s visualize the best outcome for the next quarter! You can document specific projects you want to accomplish but I’d also encourage you to write about how you want to feel. This allows us to focus on healthier habits and building consistent routines. It’s about the process more than specific outcomes!
Have you ever done a quarterly goas check-in? Let us know below what works best for you! If you have questions about how I set goals or do my quarterly goal check-ins, shoot me a DM over on Instagram! I love to talk goals!
