How to Perform a Quarterly Review for Your Business

Today I’m going to share my own quarterly review and leave you with a few tips and prompts on how to perform one for your business. This is a topic from the post, 27 Blog Topics You Can’t Wait to Write About (& Your Readers Can’t Wait to Read). I’ll be posting all 27 myself, and today I’m on topic #11: Share Your Quarterly Review (New Year resolutions update!)

Every year, I do a 7-day series of review and reflection here on the blog, titled New Year for a New You. This blog post topic comes at the perfect time, as it allows me to review my 2014 goals before I head into the 2015 series (it starts December 29). Here is the list of resolutions I set on January 3, 2014, with updates below each bullet:

In 2014, I said I would …

:: Physical – Trim the fat and never rest on my laurels. I’m starting off the New Year trying to find a routine to my exercise workouts (I’m using Xbox Fitness on the Xbox One – which I highly recommend), doing a 7-day saltwater flush (cleanses the colon by matching the body’s saliency and pushing everything through), and following up with a 3-day master cleanse. I’ve been wanting to try a master cleanse for two years, and I can hardly wait to get started on it.

I’m also eliminating alcohol, junk-food, channel-surfing, over-spending … basically overindulgence of any sort this month. As I said yesterday, I’m going to write down when I’m craving any of these activities and ask myself “why?” My ultimate goal for this exercise is to eliminate both gluttony and deprivation.

Update: I loved the master cleanse I took in January; I shared my results with it right here. It did such a good job to settle and calm my system that I wish I would’ve done it twice this year, but I didn’t make it happen. I’ll be revisiting the master cleanse again in January, and I’m actually looking forward to it!

I have continued to work out (I still love my Xbox Fitness), but have fallen into a feast or famine routine. I’m either overindulging or dieting, and I’d love to find a happy medium going forward.

:: Mental – I’m learning a new skill to take my business to the next level. I’ll be launching a new line at the Energy Shop very soon. It’s pushing my comfort zone; I can tell you that. I’m also reading for pleasure again, which is surprisingly delightful! It’s a very clean entertainment, and I’m excited to continue.

Oh, please share your favorite fiction read with me – in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter! Or share a board of your favorite fiction reads if you collect them on Pinterest! I need a lot of recommendations. I finished Doctor Sleep yesterday.

Update: I never got the hang of that new skill I was trying to learn, but I have all the equipment and this review prompted me to order one item that I think will make the work easier. I had a difficult time getting into new fiction books after Doctor Sleep, but I’m reading A Woman of Substance right now and loving it.

:: Relational – I vow to have a better relationship with myself and honor self-care practices. Left to my own devices, I take everything too seriously. I need to lighten up and find more ways to play. I’m going to enjoy date days with my husband and a special day with each child (everyone in my family plays hooky with me at least once a year). I am going to unplug and getaway for at least two overnight trips with my family.

Update: I am so sad that I didn’t get away more often this year! I went on one overnight trip with my family, but I haven’t seen a real vacation since 2012. I miss vacation! Fortunately, I have a 2015 Creative’s Retreat scheduled in February of next year, and I can hardly wait to explore the culture-rich city of Charleston, SC with like-minded creative entrepreneurs like you!

I also don’t think I did a very good job of lightening up this year! I’ve had some extreme months, but I will say that when I follow a more balanced schedule, my responsibilities don’t weigh on my so heavily. Again, it’s that feast or famine cycle and I’m resolved to conquer it in 2015!

:: Spiritual – I visited my journal maybe three times last year, in part because I lost it while I was preparing my article on visualizations. That’s no excuse! I haven’t taken enough time to self-reflect. I would also like to add in more meditation and yoga.

Update: Epic fail here. I pull a card when I’m in absolute dire straights, but I bet I’ve journaled three times all year. It’s been too long since I’ve been inspired by a delicious spiritual text as well, so a few good titles are definitely going on my Christmas wish list!

:: Financial – I’m ready to turn a financial corner once and for all. In the last decade, we’ve seen glimpses of financial freedom. Those moments were glorious!!! I want that all day, every day. My goals for the year are to pay off the consumer debt I accumulated during my move in 2013 and start padding my accounts.

Update: Oh no, another fail. I found this year to be expensive and high-pressure, and with my family growing bigger (in age, not number), it looks like that’s not going away anytime soon. It’s time for me to make more money! I have a strategy to do so, but it involved a pretty hefty investment. It cost me all of September’s pay, and I even went into the hole a thousand dollars. My fingers are crossed that I’ll be able to double my salary in 2015 because I’ve done some things to better scale my business’ growth. 

Of course I’ll be sharing all of the details with you as I go!

How to Perform Your Own Quarterly Review

Here are some tips and prompts for reviewing your performance on a quarterly (or even monthly) schedule.

1. First, you need to set goals! You can’t check your progress without something to compare it to. I know that there are people who are against goal- and resolution-setting, but I can’t imagine life without them! They’re my blueprint to success. If you’re new to this type of work, you will absolutely love my annual planner, Your Best Year 2015. You can also follow along with me during my 7-day series, A New Year for a New You – it starts December 29 right here on the blog.
2. Create a system to track your progress. This is my main source of motivation, and I have many tools to help me track my progress. Creative business are personal, and as their owners, our perspective is always too close. Even when the business is succeeding, it often feels as though you’re constantly giving without return. I track my progress with monthly income reports, in addition to the progress log myself and other members keep inside The Luminaries Club.
3. Adjust your goals accordingly. What you set out to do in the new year may change within a few months. Jack Canfield said, “You don’t want to get to the top of the ladder only to find out you had it leaning against the wrong wall.” As soon as you realize you’re headed for something you don’t actually want, it’s okay to redirect.
4. Cross off finished goals. It’s such a rewarding feeling to go back on your goals and cross off what’s complete, even if it’s eleven months later, as seen here.
5. Scrap or determine an end-time for unfinished projects. This is one of the most beneficial parts of the review: it empowers you to let go of unfinished business that no longer serves your plan. Your business will naturally evolve as it grows, and as the months pass your focus will shift. That’s natural and healthy! Hold your vision loosely and allow it to lead the way.

A Few Questions to Ask Yourself During the Review

The following is an excerpt from Your Best Year 2015: Productivity Workbook and Creative Business Planner:

• What feels good about this quarter? What was clicking?

• What areas of life or business are feeling out of sync?

• What do you want the rest of the year to feel like?

• What activities, products, actions or ideas are working for you this year?

• What was your best creative payday this quarter?

• What isn’t working for you right now? What do you need to stop doing?

You might also consider setting 15 goals to complete before 2015 to clear some unfinished business from your schedule and make more time for what really matters in your life. Here’s to your success,