In a world full of distractions and changing priorities, staying productive can feel like chasing a moving target.
That’s the reason many successful people use a 90-day cycle of living. It’s a simple way that brings clarity, structure, and momentum to personal and professional goals.
Below you can learn about this ritual, why it works and how to use it to improve your life.
What is 90-Day Planning?
90-day planning, also known as quarterly planning, breaks the year into 4 manageable segments.
Each quarter serves as a micro-year, allowing you to set clear goals, monitor progress, and adapt strategies without getting overwhelmed with longer time periods. A 90-day period is equivalent to 13 weeks, offering a structured yet flexible timeframe.
Psychologically, 90 days is the sweet spot: long enough to accomplish significant objectives, yet short enough to maintain urgency. Unlike Yearly plans that often lose relevance, 90-day cycles encourage focus and course correction.
How to Create a Quarterly Plan?
Prepare
- Schedule a full day for this activity. If not possible, block 4 hours.
- Select a space where you will not be distracted.
- Get a journal and a multi-coloured pen.
Using a guided format, like the AIR Journal, can help you make 90-day planning easier.
Reflections
Start by reflecting on the previous quarter. What worked? What didn’t?
This is an ideal opportunity to do a review of the 9 key areas of life:
Recall the “highlights” of the past 3 months in each life area. Taking stock of each area helps you maintain a balanced perspective and identify which aspects may need more attention in the coming quarter.
Intentions
From this holistic review, select 2 or 3 core intentions—your most meaningful goals for the quarter. These intentions act as guiding stars, anchoring your efforts and energy.
You may also set a few daily rituals to help you reach you goals.
For example, if you have an intention of getting in better physical shape and slim down by 10lbs, then your rituals might include working out 3 times per week or starting your day with a large cup of lemon water.
Weekly Review
Its best to allocate a couple of hours each week to review your 90-day plan. You may go to your local coffee shop on Sunday or Monday, and review the progress you made over the past 7 days.
Getting Started
90-day planning and reviews offer a practical, psychologically rewarding approach to goal setting and execution.
By embracing this rhythm, you can transform intentions into results and navigate your year with greater purpose and precision.
Interested to make the next 90 days your most productive yet? Get in touch to join our next 90-day planning session.