You know what’s amazing? How our planet dances. Every 90 days, Earth has this rhythm, a kind of heartbeat, where seasons change as we go around the sun.
It got me thinking – can we take this 90-day cycle and use it in our daily lives? Not just for deciding what to wear, but for setting goals, growing personally, and even boosting our work lives?
I realized that nature has the same cycle as our quarterly planning process. But I want to know why. If you’d like to know my thoughts on why humans love quarterly plans and how to create your own quarterly planning process, just keep reading!
Why 90-Day Cycles Resonate with Our Core
Lao Tzu once said, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” So true, right?
The world has its own pace, and every 90 days there’s this beautiful pattern of growth and renewal.
I’ve noticed that our motivation kind of does the same thing – it goes up, peaks, and then takes a little dip. So why not ride this wave and sync up with this 90-day rhythm? It’s like a breath of fresh air every quarter.
Quarterly Planning in Work: Game-Changer!
Ever notice how big companies love their quarterly reports? It’s not just about numbers.
It’s about matching our energy levels, reflecting, and setting the stage for what’s next.
Think of a huge goal for the year, maybe one you want to discuss in your annual planning meeting – seems daunting, right?
But break it down into 90-day chunks, and suddenly everything feels doable, right?
And every quarter, it’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about celebrating every win from the last quarter and taking what you’ve learned into the next quarter with a fresh perspective.
Bringing Quarterly Plans to Our Families
Think quarterly planning meetings are just for the boardroom? Try it with your loved ones!
Okay, look, hear me out on this one.
I know that having quarterly and annual planning meetings with your family may sound a bit odd, but I actually think there’s a lot of power in it.
And no, you don’t have to whip out the quarterly plan slide deck for this one.
It can literally be a casual, inspiring chat you have around the dinner table.
By coming together in a relaxed quarterly planning meeting, you can create this beautiful ritual of sharing, of growth, of mutual understanding.
And it’s not just about where all the members in your family want to go; it’s about syncing all your paths, understanding each other’s dreams, and celebrating their wins from the previous quarter.
These are the moments where bonds are strengthened, where families become teams, with each team member moving in harmony towards shared visions.
Creating Quarterly Goals for Personal Growth
We’ve all been there – setting a New Year’s resolution, holding onto it for a month, maybe two, and then watching it fade away. But what if, instead of a yearly resolution, you gave yourself a quarterly plan?
Every quarter, a reset button. A moment to ask: What have I learned from the past quarter? Where have I grown? What’s the next quarter’s version of me I want to meet? What needs to be on my quarterly planning meeting agenda (with myself)?
It’s a gentle, yet powerful reminder that personal growth isn’t a race; it’s a dance, one where the music changes every quarter.
Want to learn more? Check out my previous article, “Why You Need to DO the Work, But Also GET to Work.”
So, How do we Create a Solid 90-Day Quarterly Plan?
Remember last New Year’s resolution? I stopped making them because they always fizzled out.
But what if you had a 90-day reset instead of waiting for a year? Every three months, you get to see where you’ve been, where you want to go, and chart a path.
Alright, you might be thinking, “Eric, this sounds cool, but how do I actually do this?”
Well, I’ve got a kind of 90-day ‘operating system’. It’s my way of keeping on track. Maybe you’d like to try it, or perhaps you’ll find your own groove with your quarterly planning process. It’s all about what works for you.
#1 Get Clear on Your Goals
You know those big dreams you have? Let’s break ’em down into bite-sized pieces. For every quarterly planning session, I sketch and reshape my vision, turning grand goals into achievable quarterly tasks. Apps like Todoist or Notion? Total game changers for tracking.
You can also lay out your quarterly planning document in a more structured way to keep you on track. This Forbes article has a good example of a quarterly business plan to get your mind going. Or, if you’re looking for a more personal growth plan, check this article out.
#2 Set Intentions for the Week
Mondays? They’re not just about the coffee. It’s my reset button. I start with some meditation, then review last week’s hits and misses and lay out the game plan for the week ahead. Setting the tone right keeps the groove going.
#3 Do Some Mid-Quarter Introspection
As John Dewey once said, “We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”
That’s why when I hit the mid-quarter mark, I take a breather. It’s crucial. Heading to a quiet corner, I reassess my goals, checking if I’m on the right path. Sometimes a small pit stop like this can make the whole journey smoother.
#4 Acknowledge Micro-Milestones
Every little victory counts. Whether it’s a tiny project by one of your team members or just a successful meeting, I take a moment to celebrate. These micro-milestones? They’re the mini motivators keeping the team’s spirits up, pushing us closer to our big goals.
#5 Embrace the Ebb and Flow
Life’s unpredictable, right? So, when plans go sideways, instead of stressing, I adapt. There’s often gold hiding in those unexpected detours. Mid-course corrections based on new learnings can be game changers, leading to even better outcomes.
#6 Tap Into the Power of Collective Wisdom
Everyone’s got a perspective, and boy, do they have gems! Once a month, our team sits down, shares ideas, and we learn from each other. It’s like a brainstorming buffet, where collective insights pave our way forward.
#7 Renew and Recharge With Mindful Breaks
All work and no play? Not my jam. Every once in a while, I take a break. Maybe it’s a quick nature retreat or a cozy reading day. These little recharges keep the mind sharp and the soul happy for the next quarter.
#8 Collaborate on Goal Tracking
I’m big on teamwork. With shared platforms like Asana or Trello, everyone can see, track, and chip in on our quarterly goals and annual planning. This collective approach? It’s what turns a group of individuals into a powerhouse team, moving with shared purpose.
#9 Celebrate, Reflect, and Learn
As we wrap up a cycle, the team gathers. It’s not just about patting each other’s backs. We discuss the highs, the lows, and plot our next adventures. It’s this mix of celebration and learning that keeps us going for our next quarter.
#10 Set Intentions for the Next Quarter
One cycle down, another to go. As we gear up, I take a moment to vibe with the next quarter’s rhythm. This process is about getting everyone on the same page, ensuring that when the new quarter begins, we move in perfect harmony.
Get Your Quarterly Plan Together! You Won’t Regret it!
Nature operates in cycles, and there’s something special about that 90-day mark.
It feels like just the right amount of time to set and reach our goals, whether in our careers, families, or personal growth.
By aligning with these 90-day cycles in a quarterly meeting, things just seem to fall into place. Our goals become clearer, dreams more attainable, and every 90 days offers a fresh start.
Hey, it’s Dr. Eric J Roman. Are you intrigued by the 90-day cycle concept? If you’re as enthusiastic as I am and curious about how it might shape your next few months, I’m here to chat. How about a virtual coffee?