Our planners aren't just about daily to-dos and appointments. They help you achieve your biggest goals in a realistic series of smaller, bite-sized actions and routines. A key component in our system is the Quarterly Goals page, a single page near the front of your disc or wirebound planner. It’s a powerful tool for breaking down your aspirations into manageable chunks and propelling you toward success.
Today, we will discuss how to use the Quarterly Goals page.
Step 1: Write big or broad goals on the Goals page
NOTE: Use a pencil! Goals shift and change over 12 months, so don't use a pen unless you're seriously committed to your goals or have a lot of fun stickers that you can use to cover up readjusted goals.
The first Goals page divides your yearly aspirations into six areas: Personal, Social, Health, Dream Big, Home, and Financial.
We advise people to only use the sections that pertain to you and be sure to use the My Focus section in the center to identify what you really want. This can be something broad, like “financial freedom” or something specific, like “Run a half-marathon.” The Goals page has plenty of brainstorming room, so you can write down ideas as they come to you.
Now, consider the next three months. What key milestones do you want to achieve within this timeframe to move you closer to your yearly goals? Choose 3-5 goals that resonate most strongly and feel achievable within the quarter.
Example: If you want to run a half marathon, a good sub-goal could be "Complete a 10-week training program."
Step 2: Break it Down - Quarterly Goals
It’s time to translate your goals into action. The Quarterly Goals Page provides a section for 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, and 12 Months, so you're not forced to wait for certain months.
Six lines under each section let you create one quarterly goal for each category, but most people use it to create multiple goals in the same category. Use the space in a way that works best for you.
Use action words to list what you want to achieve. Be detailed and specific.
Example: Let's revisit the half marathon training goal. We will use three lines of the 3 Months section to set these goals:
Purchase running shoes and training apparel.
Find a training program and register.
Begin training runs according to the program schedule.
Pro Tip: Utilize the Mission Boards at the front of each monthly view to translate your quarterly action steps into actionable monthly tasks. This helps integrate your quarterly goals seamlessly into your routine.
Step 3: Embrace Flexibility - Reassess and Adapt
Life is rarely a straight line, and your plans might need adjustments. Check back to the Quarterly Goals page to track progress and reassess your goals and action steps.
Did you encounter unexpected challenges?
Are specific action steps proving more difficult than anticipated?
Don't be afraid to adapt! Modify your action steps or even adjust your goals slightly if needed. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection.
Step 4: Keep Going!
Remember, consistency is key. Reviewing your goals, action steps, and progress keeps you focused and motivated.
Embrace the flexibility to adapt your plan as needed, and never underestimate the power of celebrating your victories, big and small. You can treat yourself to something you love, or you can enjoy the satisfaction of checking off the goal on the Quarterly Goals page. It’s a simple and proven strategy to help you identify, track, and assess your goals during a set time, and we know you can do it! Best of luck on your journey!
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Here's the goal-setting equation for inkWELL Press productivity planners:
Goals Page > Quarterly Goals Page > Mission Boards > Habit Trackers
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Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you get started:
What do I really, really want in life?
What would I like to change about my current life?
What are some achievable goals?
What is a realistic timeline?
What are some good milestones?
NOTE: If you're a Goals Planner user, the quarterly goals have a different layout with quarterly assessment pages, but you can apply the same ideas to identify the right goals for the right time.
We recommend that Goals Planner users check out Tanya Dalton's On Purpose, which was written to guide goal-setters through the obstacles and challenges of long-term goals.