Time to Check In

The first quarter of the year flew by in a flash.  It’s a good time to check in and consider how you are performing against your intentions for this year.  What were your big accomplishments?  Any surprises?

A simple format for a quick review is one of my favorites:  What do you want to Start? Stop? Continue?

Start:  Think about the areas of your life where you want to see and experience some improvement.  What are the actions or behaviors that, if you started them now, and followed through with consistency for the next 90 days, would make the biggest difference in your life?

For example, if you wanted to have a better relationship with your significant other, what would happen if you scheduled a weekly date night for just the two of you?  If you wanted to increase engagement of your team at work, what if you sent a message of appreciation for something specific to one team member each week? If you wanted to learn a new skill or improve one of your strengths, what if you set aside one hour per week to read or research or watch or listen to one lesson?

Continue:  What’s been working? What are the actions or behaviors that have made the biggest difference so far this year, or what was something you have done in the past that needs more time, energy, and attention?  What steps have you taken to ensure consistency of this action?

For example, if your exercise regimen has been getting great results, is it booked on your calendar as a non-negotiable? If you have been eating healthier meals, who is your accountability partner for keeping on track?  Or, if some of your key working relationships have benefited from additional intention and attention, how can this practice be expanded to include others?

Stop:  This is the critical step that people often miss, and yet, it’s what allows you to start new things, and continue and amplify the things that are working well.  What is simply not working – or taking too much valuable time without a good return on your investment of time, energy, and attention?

For example, are there currently things on your plate that can be delegated to others? Remember, when you give someone else an opportunity to step up and take some of your responsibilities, you are contributing to their professional or personal development.  What are the opportunities for that?  

Better still, what are the things that you are doing – that don’t provide value to you or anyone else – that are just being done because they are habitual?  How can you take a good hard look? Remember, when you delete activities from your calendar, you open space for things of higher value or increased enjoyment.

Reviewing your first quarter doesn’t need to take long, and it can really contribute to your productivity and your effectiveness, and of course, your sense of accomplishment.  If your plans have gone awry in the first 90 days, now is a great time to get back on track. Avoid beating yourself up – it’s counterproductive – and just recommit to your improvement.

Wishing you a great second quarter.