I always try and do a monthly review of my goal setting, but in the winter months I have found that I have very much been in hibernation. I don’t feel motivated, and I tend to do a lot of my deep work and planning during these months.
So when it came to taking a look at my monthly goals for April, I was frustrated that I had not really had this realisation sooner. All my goals had been high-energy go go go goals. And I was just not in that headspace yet.
Winter, for me, is about putting my head down, making deep progress, and diving into focused work. Spring, however, feels lighter—I find myself less tied to my desk and more drawn to home projects, gardening, and seeking adventures.
Don’t get me wrong, I have done a bunch of stuff, for example a 6-month review of all our income and outgoings. That took a bunch of time and focus. But I got it done, and now we have a better understanding of what we need to make on a monthly basis.
So here we are in April with goals thrown to one side. However, they are all ones I still want to work on, but I’m going to be stripping them back a bit and focusing on 3 rather than 12 (far too many). Well, what did I do to do a bit of a refresh, well…
Step 1: Preparation and setting the stage
Preparation for my goal review is crucial, especially as someone with a neurospicy brain. I deliberately set aside dedicated time, ensuring a calm, distraction-free environment. Journaling has been essential for deeper reflection, and I’ve also found ChatGPT to be a handy sparring partner, helping me flesh out thoughts and realign myself with what I genuinely want to focus on next.
Reviewing the work I did at the end of last year to figure out which I have made progress on and which have been dropped. I also put these in CGPT and gave some feedback on them and how I would like to go forward. Very helpful.
Step 2: Reflecting on achievements
Reflecting on achievements always feels great. I did the 6-month money thing, I did some garden updates, started planning for the veg plot, got a bit further only in some house plans. Work is working and ticking along nicely and Jono is doing all the things! Life is good at the moment.
Step 3: Navigating challenges and adjustments
Of course, not everything went according to plan, and that’s completely fine. I encountered hurdles ranging from fluctuating energy levels to unexpected illnesses, which made me miss SMX. Embracing flexibility was my lifeline, implementing ‘Plan B’ lower energy options allowed me to stay on track even on low-motivation days, teaching me resilience and adaptability.
Step 4: Emotional insights and realisations
This past quarter’s review was an emotional journey filled with a mix of frustration, pride, gratitude, and newfound clarity. At first, the frustration felt overwhelming, especially when reflecting on goals I’d barely touched. However, as I delved deeper, highlighting areas I hadn’t initially considered important but had nevertheless flourished. I knew that I could save these goals from the delete button.
Step 5: Looking ahead with renewed clarity
Armed with fresh insights, I’m looking forward to Q3 with renewed clarity and enthusiasm. I’ve realized the importance of realistic goals set in manageable chunks, an approach that ensures consistent motivation without unnecessary stress. I’m optimistic and confident about tackling what’s next.
What’s next?
I got it down to the three that I’m going to be working on this quarter:
🟩 Goal 1: Cultivate inner peace and self-awareness
B – Break it Down
Small, doable steps:
- Pick one short daily check-in habit (e.g. morning card pull, 3-word journal, or mood emoji)
- Weekly planning/reset session — keep it light and cozy
- Revisit Notion or your planner once a week to reflect & prep
L – Little by Little
Progress is gentle and imperfect:
- Start with just 1 habit and layer the rest in
- Even 3 days a week is a win
- Celebrate any moment of calm or clarity
O – On Purpose
Why this matters:
- Helps reduce overwhelm and anxiety
- Gives you a grounded sense of control
- Connects you with your goals, your energy, and your needs
O – On a Schedule
Let’s keep it flexible:
- Mornings: 1–2 min grounding (card, breath, vibe check)
- Sundays: 15-min reset with tea (review past week, set intention for next)
- Set a recurring reminder if needed!
M – Measurable
You’ll know it’s working when:
- You want to check in with yourself, not force it
- You feel less scrambled and more present
- You have a consistent rhythm by end of June
- You’ve done at least 4–6 weekly resets
🟧 Goal 2: Prioritise physical and mental wellness
B – Break it Down
- Keep daily walks with Willow (they’re a cornerstone!)
- Add 2–3 sessions of VR movement or swims each week
- Prep some high-energy snacks or meals to support mood and body
- Track mood/energy a few times a week to spot patterns
L – Little by Little
- Start with one new movement session a week — build up
- Movement = success, whether it’s a long walk or dancing in the kitchen
- Notice how you feel after moving — build that positive loop
O – On Purpose
- Movement boosts mood, energy, and mental focus
- It helps you burn off the “wound-up toy” feeling and feel calm in your body
- You’re choosing joyful movement, not punishing routines
O – On a Schedule
- Walks = daily rhythm
- VR or swims = 2–3 times/week, flexible days
- Pick a time of day that matches your natural energy (mornings? evenings?)
M – Measurable
- You’re noticing increased energy and fewer frazzled days
- At least 8 VR or swim sessions by end of June
- Movement tracked on a simple habit tracker or emoji log
🟨 Goal 3: Achieve financial clarity and stability
B – Break it Down
- Keep a list of your essential monthly expenses (already done ✅)
- Set a recurring monthly check-in for reviewing your income/outgoings
- Create a visual to track fun money, savings, or a target (like a garden pot or day trip!)
L – Little by Little
- Money check-ins don’t have to be long — even 10 minutes helps
- Build it into a routine (e.g. “First Sunday = money tea time”)
- Skip the guilt — the goal is awareness, not perfection
O – On Purpose
- Clarity = peace of mind, less stress
- You’ll feel more in control and able to plan joyfully (holidays, hobbies, etc.)
- Supports other goals too — home, wellness, etc.
O – On a Schedule
- One check-in per month: mark a day that feels calm and consistent
- Weekly 5-min glance at transactions or fun money if you want
M – Measurable
- Less “oh no” and more “I got this” by the end of Q2
- 3 check-ins completed by end of June
- Clearer picture of what’s coming in and going out
I wholeheartedly encourage you to consider your own quarterly goal review. The process can be incredibly insightful, providing structure yet enough flexibility, particularly essential when managing neurospicy brain. Have you done a quarterly review before, or are you planning your first? I’d love to hear about your reflections or goals!
