Proactive Scheduling of Check-ins Ensures Goal Progress and Adaptability

Key Quotes

"If you have set any sort of annual goals, or if life looks different in different seasons for you, you want to set some times during the year to check in on how things are going and to plan the next season. Setting those times now, early in the year, increases the chances that they happen."

Laura explains that proactively scheduling check-in times for annual goals or seasonal life changes is crucial. Laura argues that setting these review times early in the year significantly improves the likelihood of them actually occurring.

"Sarah Hart Unger, my co-host on the Best of Both Worlds podcast, thinks of her year in quintiles. There is January to spring break, spring break to summer, summer, and then the beginning of the school year to November 1st. Quintile five goes from November 1st to the end of the year. She checks in at the beginning of each quintile to look at her annual goals and see how things are going."

Laura shares an example from Sarah Hart Unger, who divides her year into five distinct periods called quintiles. Laura notes that Unger uses the start of each quintile as a dedicated time to review her progress on annual goals.

"Now, perhaps you are thinking, yes, Laura, that makes sense. But how do you know that come the beginning of say, Q2, you will actually remember to sit down with your list of annual goals? Well, here's how. Choose check-in dates now. Pull out or pull up your calendar for the year and set times at the beginning of each new season, or at least every three months or so, to review your life."

Laura addresses the common challenge of forgetting to follow through on planning by suggesting a concrete solution. Laura advises readers to immediately select and mark specific check-in dates on their calendar for the entire year.

"However, by putting the appointment down now, when it gets close to October 1st, you will see it. You will think, oh yes, I need to do my quarterly check-in. Even if you can't do the check-in at that particular time that you chose back in January, seeing the appointment will nudge you to put it at some point, and then you will do it, rather than forgetting about it and not doing it."

Laura explains the psychological benefit of calendaring these review sessions. Laura argues that even if the exact scheduled time cannot be met, the presence of the appointment on the calendar serves as a reminder, prompting action later.

"Making the appointment increases the chances of you staying on track. Or maybe you could be more formal about it. Maybe you envision taking a half day off work each quarter for planning and reviewing life. I think that's a nice idea. If you do too, then you should go ahead and request those dates off. Doing that will likely make them stick a bit more."

Laura suggests that formalizing check-in times, such as requesting a half-day off work each quarter, can increase commitment. Laura believes that taking these concrete steps makes the planning and review sessions more likely to be prioritized and completed.

"People go to the trouble of setting new intentions for the new year, and then they forget about them when life gets busy. Or perhaps they have hopes for particular seasons, but forget those hopes by the time that time rolls around. Planning in your check-in times gives you a fighting chance of keeping your intentions front of mind."

Laura observes that many people abandon their initial goals and intentions as daily life becomes demanding. Laura posits that scheduling regular check-ins is an effective strategy to keep these aspirations prominent and actionable.