Quarter 2 is an important one for me. I plan my work to align with the school calendar and this is the last month before schools out for summer! (Side note - feel free to sing the last 4 words of that last sentence, because I sure did.)
In Yukon, the kids are out of school mid June, and summer is a completely different season (life and work wise) for our family. Our house runs differently, my work runs differently, our priorities are different too. The Yukon summer is short but glorious, and we prioritize getting outside for adventures!
Regardless of the fiscal calendar that your organization operates on, quarterly goal planning is a great way to stay focused on achieving your goals and objectives throughout the year.
Quarterly planning is important for two reasons:
1. We have something to aim for. Our human brains love working towards something. It can lift our spirits. It can give us purpose.
2. It gives us focus. We can’t do all the things. We simply can’t. So, identifying one, two or three things to focus on allows us to say no to all the things that are not in alignment with our goals.
Goals can be focused on what you want to achieve. They can also be focused on how you want to show up around others, how you want to stay true to who you are around others, or how you want to feel. Whether it's for your professional development or personal growth, having a plan in place can help you build awareness by tracking your progress and allows you to make necessary adjustments along the way.
Here are some tips on how to identify and develop a plan to achieve your quarterly goals.
1. First, start by identifying your goals. Whether it's a career advancement goal or a fitness goal, clearly define what you want to achieve within the next three months. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will help you stay on track and measure your success at the end of the quarter.
2. Next, break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps. This will make your goals more manageable and help you stay motivated throughout the quarter. For example, if your goal is to increase your productivity at work, you can break it down into tasks such as setting a daily schedule, prioritizing tasks, and minimizing distractions.
3. Once you have identified your goals and broken them down into smaller steps, it's important to develop a plan to achieve them. Start by creating a timeline for each of your goals and setting deadlines for completion. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you are making progress towards your goals.
4. To help you maintain your success, consider incorporating regular check-ins into your plan. This can be a weekly or bi-weekly review of your progress to see if you are on track or if any adjustments need to be made. This can also help you stay accountable and motivated to keep working towards your goals. To help you remember, you can add these reviews to your calendar.
5. And then at the end of the quarter, hold your own “quarterly review”. This could include checking in on the last quarter:
When I look back on the last quarter, what am I proud of?
What is not working and needs some tweaking?
And what do I need to eliminate?
Was I able to achieve my goals? Why, or why not? If it is still important to me, how can I be successful this quarter?
For professional goals, consider asking for feedback from your supervisor or colleagues. This can help you gain valuable insights and perspective on your progress. Additionally, consider taking advantage of training and development opportunities (which might include coaching) that can help you acquire new skills or knowledge to achieve your goals.
For personal goals, consider asking for the help of a friend, family member, mentor, or coach to hold you accountable and provide support along the way. Remember, it's okay to ask for help when needed and to adjust your plan as necessary to stay aligned with your goals.
Quarterly goal planning is a powerful tool to help you achieve your objectives, both personally and professionally. By identifying your goals, breaking them down into actionable steps, developing a plan, and regularly reviewing your progress, you can set yourself up for success and make steady progress towards achieving your goals.
