2023 Planning: 5 Things I'm Doing in Q4

Quarter 4 is always an exciting time for me. I always say I have one foot out the door once October hits. On the one hand, it’s a great time to reflect on the previous three quarters of the year and to kick it in high gear to finish out the last three months strong. On the other, it is the perfect time to look ahead to the next year to start casting vision and setting goals.

As I prepare myself this year for 2023 planning, these are five areas I’m focusing on in order to end this year strong and enter next year from a place of power and confidence.

1 | Seeking God for vision and direction

Proverbs 3:6 instructs us to seek God and His will in all we do, so that He can show us which paths to take. Normally I would spend the last few months of the year increasing my fasting, prayer, and Bible study time; but since I am pregnant this year, the fasting will have to be left out. Nevertheless, as I ramp up 2023 planning, my quiet study and prayer time takes even more of a priority. During this time I am particularly seeking God for three things: vision for my family, vision for myself (professionally and personally), and the “word” for the year.

The word for the year is just an area of focus that the Lord wants me to walk in in the upcoming year. For example, in 2020 the word the Lord gave our family was “breakthrough” and it was a breakthrough year indeed! Our finances tripled, we got our own home after being homeless for over a year, and I finally launched this blog (and started getting paid for it)!

Whatever the word is, the goal is to get clear direction and vision from the Lord then tailor my plans for next year according to what He says.

2 | Casting vision and setting goals

Based on what God shows me during our prayer time and on what goals I did (or didn’t) accomplish this year, the last few months of this year are centered on setting clear goals and fine tuning my vision for the year ahead. If I had a goal to save X amount of dollars and I fell short, I’ll revamp that goal and try to tackle it again in the new year.

This is also when I put the word God gave me into action. Sometimes the word/direction God gives me is a blessing He wants me to walk in, like “abundance” or “peace.” Other times the word is a character trait He wants me to work on, like “consistency”, or “excellence.” Whatever the word is, I make it a point to cherish it and move accordingly. If the word is discipline, then I’ll spend the year studying the scriptures on discipline and looking for ways to grow in that area. If the word happens to be expansion, that may look like expanding my business, getting a bigger home, or expanding my role in my local church.

Once I have my goals and vision set, I WRITE THEM DOWN. This is very important, I always say “If it’s not written, it’s not real”. I don’t know why it is, but recording your plans adds a certain energy and momentum. God Himself encourages us to write our vision down. In Habakkuk 2:2, He tells the prophet to “write the vision and make it clear”.

Q4 is the perfect time to establish the vision and action steps you plan to take so that when January 1st rolls around, you can hit the ground running.

3 | Improving the feel and flow of my home

I am a firm believer that all success starts at home. I can’t expect to have a prosperous, successful year if my home is neglected and in disarray. Part of 2023 planning is making sure I am ending the year on a good foundation at home.

Right now I am decluttering and purging things we no longer need. I am also revisiting our routines to make sure they still make sense for the year ahead. Lastly, I’ve been revisiting old projects that I put off – like hanging pictures and completing the furnishing of our dining room. I don’t want to step into next year with any loose ends.

The bottom line is this: your environment affects your mental health and ability to create. Clean, organized spaces help eliminate mental clutter and distractions so you are free to think clearly.

4 | Establishing systems that promote consistency and results

Based on my upcoming responsibilities and expected workload in the next year, I use Q4 to establish systems in my work that will help me stay consistent without being overwhelmed or dropping any balls. This is when I revisit (or create) systems for automation – like automating savings and bill paying. I also fine tune automation and communication flow for my side business as a blogger/influencer.

This is also the perfect time for me to designate certain days for specific activities. For instance, currently Mondays are admin days for me. This is the day I do all the “business” work for home and my career like budgeting, setting appointments, etc. Thursdays are “brand deal” days. On these days I pitch business ideas to brands, follow up on branded collaborations that are in progress, and follow up on any payments that are outstanding.

Currently, these days work for me, but with the addition of a new baby and with plans to branch into new ventures next year, now is the time for me to review my schedules and systems to make sure they’ll make sense for next year.

5 | Prioritizing self-care

One thing the last year taught me is that you can’t pour from an empty cup. If I am going to show up as my best self as a wife, mom, entrepreneur, corporate employee, and every other hat I wear, I have to make sure I am operating from a place of rest and overflow. This is a busy time of year. Between the holidays, trying to finish the year strong and, and wrapping up 2023 planning, it can get overwhelming.

More than anything, I like to take Q4 to pour into myself – to reflect on how well I took care of Jasmine and then make adjustments as needed. This is the time of year that I slow down and give myself space to just enjoy my own time. I don’t accept every holiday event invite. I don’t overfill my schedule with activities to seem productive. This is my time to indulge myself – whether that’s with a mani/pedi, a massage, or just a chunky blanket and a good book.

2023 planning is important, but it’s not effective if I’m limping into next year on fumes. Right now I’ve chosen to set routines in place that allow me to continually refresh so I don’t fall into burnout now or in the year ahead