Tips on how to plan for the month ahead.
As the month of May comes to an end, we want to feel focused and prepared as we head into June. A great way to plan your goals for the next month is to start by reflecting on your progress so far. Reflection allows us to discover what has worked to help us achieve our goals and what is holding us back. It also allows us to see how our time management impacts our progress in different areas of life. This article is to help you to plan for the month ahead so that you can manage and prioritize your time to achieve your goals.
Reflect. Plan. Execute.
Questions to ask ourselves when goal planning:
Did I achieve my goals last month? If not, what held me back?
Asking this question before setting yourself any new goals will help you to realign with what you truly want to achieve, and why you want to achieve it. If you have goals leftover from the previous month, carry them over and try again. This time have a look at what you could change or implement in your routine to help you and ensure you can cross it off your list by next month.
Have my priorities changed?
As the world is constantly changing, so can our priorities and wants. It is okay to change your mind and redirect your energy. This is the perfect time to reassess and ask yourself, what do you want to achieve?
Are my goals realistic for my timeframe?
Be realistic with your goals. Don’t put pressure on yourself to accomplish all of your goals or change your entire lifestyle in a short space of time. This will often just lead to you feeling disappointed and frustrated with your progress, and may even further deter you from reaching your goals. Great things take time! Try to enjoy the process.
Am I a morning person or a night owl?
Some people work best in the morning, while others are more productive in the evening. Find out what suits you and when you feel more energized, and use that information to plan your days. If for the last month you’ve been trying and failing to get up at 6am for a workout before work, try swapping that workout slot into your evening routine instead. Routines are not one size fits all!
Am I being consistent?
Consistency is key to forming healthy habits getting closer to your goals. To do lists are a great way to track your consistency. Completing small, trackable tasks daily allows for big results. For example, if you want to read 1 book every month, set a daily task to read 10 pages a day, maybe even a chapter. Before you know it you’re on track to complete and maybe even exceed your goal of 1 book per month.
Am I allowing time for myself?
Sometimes we can get carried away with our professional goals and forget to take care of ourselves. It is important that when you’re planning for the month, you prioritize time to relax and do what makes you happy. Spend time with friends and family, do the hobbies you enjoy, try new exercise classes, etc.
Helpful resources.
Planners are a huge help with goal-setting. Especially planners with prompts and questions that allow you to really think about what you want to achieve, and help you set achievable goals. These days we are spoilt for choice with options for planners that make it easy for us to keep track of our habits and routines, and keep ourselves organised. See The Head Plan.
Podcast to listen to about goal setting: Grace Beverley, Working Hard or Hardly Working “Plan with me for the next 3 months.” Listen here.
Planning for holidays.
Of course coming into the summer months we will also be planning for holidays. Whether you’re venturing abroad or exploring at home, there’s always so much to organise before a trip away. See our article on Our Holiday Essentials to help get you prepared.
Roz Purcell has amazing recommendations on her Instagram page for discovering gems around Ireland, and will give you plenty of inspiration for you weekends. From food spots, walking trails, beaches, and stunning AirBnBs, you will find a wealth of information on her page @rozannapurcell.
