Setting Intentions Annually & Quarterly

Setting up a quarterly practice

This year I started looking at my year in quarters instead of an entire 12 months. I planned what I thought I could achieve or wanted to tackle for the year, but took pause, stock and reviewed this every three months. This has been one of the most impactful practices that has allowed me to live with intention this year. 

At the end of each quarter, I reflect on the previous three months in my journal;

Was there anything difficult I had to tackle or reckon with?
What wonderful things happened?
How did I feel over the last three months?
What or who took up my energy?
What or who gave me energy?
What took up my time?
Was there anything I wanted to do but didn't get to do?

On the next page, I look forward to the next quarter and based on my reflection of the previous one, I set my intentions.

What do I want to occupy my headspace?
Who do I want to let into my heartspace?
What practices do I want to focus on?
What big questions would I like to tackle?
What do I want to achieve?

By combining reflection and intention setting, I find I don't get as swayed by life, other people's expectations and unrealistic pressures. I tend to dig deeper into what I really want and need and base these on a more realistic view of my life. 

LINKS, TIPS & RESOURCES

These are a few links, tips and resources I've found helpful...

Live Your Legend
Ignore the cheesy name ;). This community puts out a free yearly reflection workbook that we used in Braintrust this year. If reflection and intention setting doesn't come naturally to you, this guides you through the process and asks some great questions. My favourite? 'When were you happiest this past year?' (Find it here: it's the 2019 Goal Setting and Action Workbook)

Choose a Word
In 2018 I chose a word to guide me - Intention. A gentle reminder to pause and listen before making decisions. I also chose a word for how I wanted to behave with Dylan and one for how I wanted to feel at work. I found these to be helpful anchors from time to time and helped inform how I approached my year and my decisions. 

2019 will be full of exciting career challenges (hopefully I’ll be able to share these soon) and three weddings as we travel around the world celebrating with our favourite people. So I’ve chosen gratitude to remind me to stop, take it all in and focus on the present. 

PS: change your password to one of your words or change your phone screensaver - it’s a nice way to gently remind you...

How will you give yourself time to reflect on 2018 and set intentions for 2019?