Summary
As a leader, you need regular times for review and reflection to ensure you stay on top of your priorities. A quarter review process helps.
A Regular, In-Depth, Strategic Reflection
Last month, as we came towards the end of the second quarter of the year, I carried out my second quarter review for 2023. This is an opportunity for an in-depth, strategic reflection on where I’ve come from in the past year and to look forward to where I am going with my annual goals. Although I am not currently using a paper planner, I use the Quarter Review questions in the excellent Faith & Focus Planner as the template for my quarter review process.
My Quarter Review Process
First of all, I try to get away from the office in order to go through my quarter review process. This helps me get away from any potential interruptions and the hustle and bustle of my office environment. I also switch off my mobile phone. In the past I have used quiet places like a cathedral or church, a cafe or a coffee shop. Choose somewhere that’s relatively quiet so that you can concentrate.
I surround the quarter review process in prayer. I spend time thanking God for what’s happened over the past three months. If I foresee any big issues or challenges that need to be faced in the coming quarter, then I ask for God’s help with these. And I reconnect with God and ensure that I am following his plan for my life.
Reviewing My 3 Year Vision
I begin by reviewing my 3-year vision for both life and ministry. This is my long-term strategic view. It acts as a “true north” for me and informs the goals I choose for the medium and shorter terms. It paints the picture of what life will look like. I review progress against this vision.
Reviewing My Top 5 Goals for the Year
Next, I review my top 5 goals for the year. These are the most important things I identified during my annual review to help me grow towards my 3-year vision. They each include a “why” – the motivation to help me accomplish them. My review looks at how far I have grown towards achieving my goals and helps me begin to identify the quarterly goals that might help me achieve them by the end of the year.
Choosing My Top 3 Goals for the Quarter
I go on then to choose my top 3 goals for the coming quarter, to help me achieve both my annual goals and move me towards my 3-year vision. I set start and end dates and then work backwards from the end dates to set milestones. Milestones are either sub-goals to help me move towards the final goal, or certain tasks that will help me do this.
I also take an opportunity before God to reflect on habits I want to start and stop during this quarter.
Life Plan Review
Next in my quarter review process, I review my Life Plan. I read through it and decide if anything needs to be revised, removed or replaced. Sometimes, I update the language and if God has spoken to me through his Word in a particular way, I might update the supporting Bible verses. I will also update my specific commitments.
The Quarter Review: An Invaluable Tool for Review and Reflection
I have found my quarter review process an invaluable part of proactive self-management in the past few years. If you think a quarter review process might help you, then you will need to plan them in advance. Mine are a recurring appointment in my calendar. I am sure you will begin to find the quarter review process an important time of review and reflection.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
