THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO A QUARTERLY REVIEW OF YOUR GOALS

Alright, ladies! Let's have a chat about how to do a proper quarterly review of your goals. Whether you're a busy mum juggling family life or a career-minded gal trying to balance it all, taking the time to reflect and regroup can make a real difference. That's why I'm excited to dive into this post on how to do a quarterly review of your goals.

So, let's get to it!

1. Setting Clear and Specific Goals

First things first, let's make sure your goals are crystal clear and specifically tailored to both your family and personal life. What do you want to achieve in the next three months? Is it organising a family event, starting a new hobby, or simply finding more time for self-care? Measure your goals against the SMARTER framework. Check to see whether they are;

• Specific - not vague or wishy washy, but clear and tangible

• Measurable - how will you know when this goal has been achieved?

• Actionable - using action verbs for your goal makes it a lot easier to take action (e.g. buy, write, post etc.)

• Risky - if it's not pushing you out of your comfort zone, is it even a goal?

• Time-bound - it has a due date or deadline. And if it's a habit goal, then it should have a streak count over time.

• Exciting - if your goal doesn't excite you, it's probably a project, not a goal. Your goal needs to excite you in order for you to find that extra motivation needed to push through the challenging times because, with every goal that pushes you out of your comfort zone, there'll be a time when you'll want to give up, slow down or put off taking action.

• Relevant - your goal needs to make sense for you in your current season of life.

Think about what you want to accomplish, whether it's organising the house, planning fun family outings, or even carving out time for a new hobby. Then, prioritise your goals, focusing on what's most important to you and your family.

2. Reflecting on the Past Quarter

Now, let's look back on the past three months. What did you and your clan manage to achieve? Celebrate those wins, big or small - from a successful kids' birthday party to finally finishing that personal project you've been meaning to get to.

But also take a moment to identify any challenges you faced, like trying to find a balance between your little ones' schedules and your own self-care. Think about how you would tackle those challenges next time. This process of review can really help you improve the way you approach your days and your weeks.

Reflect on whether your previous goals are still important or if they need a tweak.

3. Review Your Progress

When it comes to reviewing your progress, you should already have a clear picture of what "done" looks like if your goals were measurable. Did you manage to achieve your goals, or complete that habit streak? Even if you only got about 60% of the way towards your final goal, think about how far you've come! That's 60% further than if you hadn't set the goal in the first place! Can you tell I'm a cup-half-full kinda girl?

The main thing is to not beat yourself up if you didn't fully complete all of your goals. Life is about progress. And if you're making progress, then you're doing great!

You can also get creative with reviewing other things in your life. Maybe you could tally up the number of family movie nights you've had, books you've read or miles you ran. Just don't forget to reflect on the quality of life aspects, like family bonding time or enjoyment from your hobbies or coffee dates with friends.

4. Celebrate Achievements

When you do hit those milestones, big or small, make sure to celebrate! Acknowledge what you have accomplished, and how far you've come! How will you celebrate your progress? Even if a goal isn't fully completed, you can still reward yourself for good effort.

Don't be mean or hard on yourself as that will only reinforce a negative mindset towards your goals and make it harder to push through future challenges. Rewarding yourself and giving yourself the acknowledgement that you're doing a good job and you're making progress helps to bolster your resolve to keep pressing forward with your goals even when things can start to feel like a slog.

Knowing that you've got this because you reward yourself even for effort can make all the difference between a goal achieved and a goal you leave!

5. Adjusting and Setting New Goals

Alright, this is my favourite part! It's time to roll up those sleeves and get planning! If you need to adjust any of your goals, make sure they're still specific, actionable and relevant. If you've achieved previous goals, set new ones that excite and challenge you. I always refer to my larger life goals when setting goals for the quarter. What do I want to achieve in the next 12 months? And what can I do in the next 3 months that will help to get me there?

Think about what that is for you. Maybe it's learning a new skill, saving a certain amount, or starting a small DIY project at home.

As you look ahead to the next quarter, focus on what's important for the upcoming months. Think about your available time by taking stock of any holiday periods, trips or events. It's important to balance your time and energy between family needs, your current schedule and your goals.

6. Creating an Action Plan

Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Set practical timelines, keeping in mind the flexible nature of family life. This will help you stay on track and make progress towards your goals. Use the Goal Planner inside our monthly stationery club to help you break your goal into smaller, actionable tasks.

7. Developing a Tracking System

Now, the key is to keep tabs on your progress. Schedule regular check-ins to review your progress, perhaps during quiet times like in the evening before bed. Use things like our monthly calendars or tracker to stay organised. And if you want an extra boost of motivation and support, let family members or friends in on the goals you want to achieve. Surround yourself with a support network, including friends, online communities, or family, to share experiences and advice.

You can even set goals as a family. Involving your family in goal-setting and reviews, making it a collaborative process can help to create a sense of team work and group achievement.

8. Mindset and Motivation

When reviewing your quarter, you've got to stay positive and adaptable. Even the best laid out goals don't always go plan. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, so know that it's okay to adapt your plans. Know that part of your growth is in the journey. You're always growing, so stay positive and visualise your success.

You've got this!

There you have it! A comprehensive guide to doing a quarterly review of your goals. Remember to be kind to yourself, stay flexible, and celebrate your achievements along the way. Happy goal-setting!

Other posts you may like: