I still remember the first time I tried to do a quarterly goal review – I was overwhelmed, unsure, and felt like I was just going through the motions. The common myth is that these reviews have to be tedious, time-consuming, and only focused on what’s not working. But, let me tell you, that’s just not true. In fact, learning how to do a quarterly goal review the right way has been a total game-changer for my business and my sanity. It’s about taking a step back, assessing what’s working, and making intentional decisions about where to focus your energy.

So, what can you expect from this article? I’ll be sharing my personal, tried-and-tested approach to how to do a quarterly goal review, including the exact steps I take to reflect on my progress, identify areas for improvement, and set realistic goals for the next quarter. My goal is to give you the tools and confidence to take control of your own quarterly reviews, without the stress and burnout. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to create a quarterly review system that works for you, not against you.

Guide Overview: What You'll Need

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Estimated Cost: $0 – $10

Difficulty Level: Easy

Tools Required

• Pen (for writing)
• Pencil (for editing)
• Calendar (physical or digital)

Supplies & Materials

• Notebook (dedicated to goal setting)
• Printer (optional for printing goal templates)
• Folder (for organizing quarterly review documents)

Step-by-Step Instructions

• 1. First, set aside dedicated time to do your quarterly goal review – I’m talking about a few hours where you can completely focus on this task without any distractions. For me, this usually means scheduling it on a Friday morning, so I can wrap up the week with a clear plan for the next quarter. Make sure you’re in a comfortable and quiet space, with your favorite coffee or tea by your side, and start by gathering all your notes, calendars, and to-do lists from the past quarter.
• 2. Next, take some time to reflect on your progress – go through your notes, emails, and social media to remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished, what worked well, and what didn’t quite go as planned. Be honest with yourself, and don’t be afraid to acknowledge any areas for improvement. I like to make a list of my top achievements and another list of things that I struggled with, so I can see what I need to work on in the next quarter.
• 3. Now it’s time to evaluate your goals – take a close look at the objectives you set for yourself at the beginning of the quarter, and assess whether you’ve met them or not. Be kind to yourself if you haven’t achieved everything you wanted to, and try to understand what went wrong. Ask yourself questions like: What were the obstacles that prevented me from reaching my goals? What can I do differently next time? What skills or knowledge do I need to acquire to overcome those obstacles?
• 4. The next step is to identify new opportunities – think about what’s changed in your life, business, or industry since the last quarter, and how you can leverage those changes to your advantage. Consider new trends, technologies, or tools that can help you achieve your goals more efficiently. Make a list of potential opportunities, and then prioritize them based on their feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with your overall vision.
• 5. With your opportunities and challenges in mind, it’s time to set new goals for the next quarter – make sure they’re specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). I like to use a goal-setting template to help me stay focused and ensure that my objectives are aligned with my values and priorities. Remember to make your goals challenging but realistic, so you can stay motivated and engaged throughout the quarter.
• 6. Once you have your new goals, create an action plan to achieve them – break down each goal into smaller, manageable tasks, and assign deadlines and resources to each task. I recommend using a project management tool or a planner to stay organized and on track. Don’t forget to schedule regular check-ins with yourself to review your progress, celebrate your successes, and make adjustments as needed.
• 7. Finally, review and adjust your systems – take a closer look at your workflows, habits, and routines, and identify areas where you can improve your productivity, efficiency, or work-life balance. Ask yourself questions like: What tools or software can I use to streamline my work? What habits can I adopt to reduce stress and increase my energy levels? What boundaries can I set to protect my time and focus? By regularly reviewing and adjusting your systems, you can ensure that you’re working smarter, not harder, and achieving your goals without burning out.

Quarterly Goal Review Essentials

When it comes to setting realistic quarterly objectives, it’s essential to consider your past performance and current workload. Don’t set yourself up for failure by aiming too high or too low. Instead, take a closer look at your previous achievements and use that as a benchmark to create achievable goals. This will help you stay motivated and focused throughout the quarter.

Effective goal tracking is also crucial to a successful quarterly review. Mid quarter goal assessment techniques can help you identify areas where you need to improve and make adjustments accordingly. This can be as simple as scheduling regular check-ins with yourself or your team to discuss progress and address any challenges that have arisen. By doing so, you’ll be able to adjusting goals based on progress and stay on track to meet your objectives.

To overcome quarterly obstacles, it’s vital to have a solid plan in place. This might involve identifying potential roadblocks and developing strategies for overcoming quarterly obstacles before they become major issues. For teams, quarterly goal setting for teams can be an effective way to ensure everyone is working towards the same objectives and supporting each other along the way. By working together and staying focused, you can achieve your goals and make the most of your quarterly review.

Effective Goal Tracking to Avoid Burnout

To avoid burnout, it’s crucial to track your goals effectively. I’m a big believer in keeping it simple – no fancy apps or spreadsheets needed. Just a notebook and a pen will do. Write down your top three goals for the quarter and break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Then, schedule weekly check-ins with yourself to review progress and make adjustments as needed.

This approach has been a game-changer for me, and I’m confident it can be for you too. By focusing on a few key objectives and regularly tracking your progress, you’ll stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Remember, the goal is to make progress, not to be perfect.

Setting Realistic Objectives That Stick

To set realistic objectives that stick, I always go back to my “3Cs” rule: clarity, consistency, and constraint. Be crystal clear about what you want to achieve, make sure it aligns with your overall vision, and don’t overcommit yourself. I learned this the hard way during my early days of blogging, when I’d set lofty goals that left me burnt out and frustrated. Now, I prioritize quality over quantity and focus on making incremental progress.

By doing so, you’ll create a roadmap that’s both achievable and motivating. Remember, your goals should energize and inspire you, not stress you out. So, take a step back, reassess, and adjust as needed. And hey, after you’ve nailed down your objectives, treat yourself to a great cup of coffee – you’ve earned it!

Quarterly Goal Review Hacks: 5 Tips to Keep You on Track

• Set a ‘stop doing’ list to identify tasks that are no longer serving your goals, and ditch them to free up mental energy and time
• Schedule your quarterly review on the same day and time every quarter, so it becomes a non-negotiable part of your routine
• Use the ‘3-question rule’ to evaluate each goal: Is it still relevant? Is it still achievable? Is it still aligned with my values?
• Create a ‘brain dump’ document to store all your ideas, worries, and to-do lists, and then organize them into actionable steps
• End your review with a ‘celebration station’ – write down 3 things you’re proud of accomplishing, and reward yourself with something nice, like a great coffee or a weekend getaway

3 Key Takeaways for a Successful Quarterly Goal Review

Quarterly goal reviews are not just about checking boxes, but about taking a honest look at what’s working and what’s not, so you can adjust your strategy and stay on track

Setting realistic objectives and tracking progress effectively is crucial to avoiding burnout and achieving your goals, so make sure you’re setting yourself up for success, not stress

Remember, the goal of a quarterly review is not to add more to your plate, but to create a clearer path forward, so don’t be afraid to let go of what’s not serving you and focus on what truly matters

The Quarterly Review Mindset

A quarterly goal review isn’t about checking boxes or pretending you have it all together – it’s about being brutally honest with yourself, celebrating the wins, and making intentional decisions about how to spend your time and energy over the next 90 days.

Jenna Sullivan

Wrapping Up Your Quarterly Goal Review

Let’s get real – quarterly goal reviews are a must if you want to stay on track and actually achieve what you set out to do, without losing your mind in the process. As we’ve covered, setting realistic objectives and effective goal tracking are essential to making the most out of this process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a system that works for you, not against you. Remember, the goal is to find a balance that allows you to grow your online career without sacrificing your life and sanity.

As you close your laptop and take a deep breath, I want to leave you with a final thought: your success is not defined by your hustle. It’s okay to take a step back, reassess, and prioritize your well-being. In fact, it’s more than okay – it’s necessary. So, go ahead and schedule that quarterly goal review, but also make sure to schedule some time for yourself. Your future self will thank you, and so will your loved ones. Now, go crush those goals and don’t forget to enjoy the journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common mistakes people make when setting quarterly goals that I can avoid?

Let’s get real – common mistakes include setting unrealistic targets, being too vague, and not prioritizing self-care. I’ve seen it time and time again: overambitious goals that lead to burnout. Be honest with yourself, and make sure your objectives are specific, measurable, and actually achievable. Now, go grab a coffee and revisit those goals with a clear head!

How often should I be checking in on my progress towards my quarterly goals to stay on track?

Honestly, I check in on my progress weekly, but I also do a deeper dive every two weeks to stay on track. It’s all about finding a rhythm that works for you, so experiment and see what keeps you motivated without feeling overwhelmed. For me, it’s about balancing consistent progress checks with time to actually work on my goals.

What's the best way to handle a quarterly goal that's no longer relevant or has become unrealistic to achieve?

Honestly, it’s okay to admit when a goal is no longer serving you. If it’s become irrelevant or unrealistic, it’s time to reassess and adjust. Don’t be too proud to pivot or scrap it altogether – your sanity (and schedule) will thank you. Let’s ditch the guilt and focus on what’s truly important: making progress, not perfection.