Staying The Course ………4th Month, 2nd Quarter, 2nd Decade, of the 21st Century

When the year began, so many of us had admirable goals, plans, and dreams, with the energy of diesel batteries. At the end of 2019, and at the beginning of 2020, we could do #allthings! After the first quarter of the year, the energy we started the year off with had already began to linger. The depleting energy has been especially true during the bleaker months. March was a bleak month.

As individuals, entrepreneurs, business owners- before moving forward- fast and furious into the 3rd quarter of the year- let's consider where we stand! Let's take stock of what has occurred during the first quarter, what has been accomplished, and elements of our plans that were missed. Are you pausing- yes!- that's great- the pause allows us to accurately realign our quarter two strategies with the extended-term plans we have for the year.

As we continue to grow and change, the journey we take to achieve our goals can shift easily. Adequate and quality planning requires continued changing. There are times when the goals set may shift and change. This is when quarterly reviews prove to be beneficial by helping to remain on track or help to get back on the right track. Below is a quarterly review process that can be used to do a check-in on yearly progression.

1. Have you compared your quarterly objectives to the yearly goals you initially set?

2. Have you marked the wins of your quarter?

3. Where their ventures which emerged or became displaced?

4. Did you have significant setbacks or challenges- If so, what were they?

5. What are your best practices- both continued and new?

6. What is your approach to growth?

7. Where is their stagnation in your goals?

8. Are there gaps of uncertainty, whereas there is an opportunity to level-up?

9. What new knowledge received during the review may modify yearly goals?

10. Have you learned, grown, or changed, and need to consider those aspects?

11. Have the team learned, grown, or changed?

12. Have priorities transitioned or surfaced?

13. Are you moving forward what will change?

Consideration of these perspectives makes you aware of the adjustment aspects of your quarter two plans, promoting the success of your yearly plans. This process, in its entirety, demonstrates progressive wins and productive missteps. Using this process promotes raising awareness and staying on track to achieve yearly goals. Individuals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who make yearly plans should always consider assessing, adapting, and planning throughout the year.