How To Finish Your First Quarter Strong
Our first quarter in 2021 is coming to an end! 🎉
March is here and we couldn’t be more excited for all the new things that will be springing up from the seeds we’ve planted so far this year. 🌸
Now that you know what you want to cultivate, let’s do a quick check to make sure we get the most out of your time! ✨
Today on Tending List Tuesday I’m going to share 3 things you can do to finish your first quarter strong! 🌱
Let’s dig in!
I can’t believe that the first quarter of 2021 is almost over! Though this year is moving rather swiftly, I am so proud of the progress that I’ve made so far this year!
One of the goals that I have made a lot of progress on so far is my marriage goal. At the beginning of this year I decided to sign up for a daily marriage encouragement email.It’s a small daily task that I can do in less than a minute, but has helped me make little by little progress. 🌱
I’ve noticed that when I read the marriage email in the morning, it makes me more mindful of my marriage throughout the day. This small step, that at first seemed insignificant, has helped change my marriage in a big way! This year we’ve started having weekly date nights, more intentional conversations, and we laugh more than we ever have! It’s been such a blessing to grow in this area of my life. 💛
Next quarter I’m looking to grow my faith. I want to have more intentional studying time in my bible and quiet time to spend in the presence of the Lord. I’m excited for the next season of growth and renewed perspective in this area of my life! 😊
Thank you for this. I have been stagnant with my goals for this quarter but thank God for March. I just get overwhelmed and then procrastinate but I don’t want to, it just happens. After today’s video, I realize I am still seeking perfection even after I talk myself out of it, a lot. I do all these things but lose faith somewhere so then it becomes chaos and nothing is done. One thing I can do today is make fill in my Prepare Well sheet for March.:)
Way to go on taking your next best step, Pamela! We have all fallen into procrastinating at some point or another. It can be challenging to move forward when you feel overwhelmed.
When I start feeling overwhelmed,I like to look back at my prep work to remember why I started on this journey in the first place. This helps me recenter my focus and start again. Even if my progress isn’t perfect, at the end of the day it’s still progress.
I’m cheering for you friend! You can do this! 🎉
Ooh where can I sign up to get those marriage emails?!
Great question! It’s the Marriage After God emails with Jennifer Smith. You can sign up here!
https://marriageaftergod.com/marriage-prayer-challenge/
Thank you, Shanda, for providing the link! I just signed up. 🙂
Thank you! I also signed up!
Wonderful! Hi Shanda, one thing I need to work on is being less idle. Can you please post a link to the “time tracker” mentioned in the refresh? I was unable to attain it.
I’ve already seen one halfway mark to a major finish line goal today! By the grace of God, after some years of medical limitations and then pure laziness, I got my permit today. It has been such a journey with over 6 years of life-threatening seizures, but Jesus has been with me the entire way! Praise Him today!
With Love, Tia
I just received my PowerSheets so I’m just starting out, but that’s ok :). I just finished up my Prep Work and I’m ready to get going!
Happy New Year, friend! We’re so excited for you to dig in and start making progress on your goals, Coleen! We’re cheering you on! 🎉
Love this! Thank you!! I’ve been seeing progress with my workouts. I’ve been able to lift heavier weights. I’ve been tracking my workouts, so I’ve been able to notice progress!
Way to go on making progress, Brittany! I love that you’re tacking your progress, so you can look back and see how far you have come! You’ve got this! 🎉
Thank you Shanda for the reminders about time wasters. Sure watching TV can be relaxing but if we set limits on how long we watch, then we will have time to work on our goals.
And thank you Team Cultivate for removing the background music. It is easier to focus on what Shanda is saying.
Love this, Lori! I’ve been setting timers for all my “down time” activities and it’s helping to waste less time.
Also, thank you for your feedback! We’re so grateful for you! 🎉
Yes, thank you Team Cultivate! Removing the (pleasant) music actually helps me with one of my many goals: Focus! 🙂
I’m definitely going to be using my TODAY planning pad and the break it down one. They’re so helpful but I often forget to use them!
I agree, Emily! I love the notepads as well. It’s so helpful seeing my day at a glance and having the change to break things down into bit size steps. Thanks for sharing! 🎉
I’ve been making progress on refreshing our budget, which I’m so happy about, that I’m ACTUALLY doing it.
Way to go, Sarah! We’re cheering you on! 🎉
love the tips! thank you so much for posting. I was going to wait for the month and now i will start today!!
Yay, Rosa! Way to go on making progress while you have momentum. A year from now you will be so grateful you started! 🎉
This may seem simple but it is huge: my progress for the quarter, so far, is to actually WRITE IN my POWERSHEETS!
Before mid-Feb., I wrote everything on separate pages because I wanted to “save” the PS (?!?!?! somebody tell me, for what??? lol) … even my Cultivate Your Year notes all went on separate pages that I stored inside my PS.
Well, sometime in February, I said, “USE YOUR POWERSHEETS!” and I did…no more juggling pages and losing loose sheets…just writin’ away in the ole Powersheets…just as Lara (and God) intended.
In the (altered) lyrics of Wilson Phillips: “Break free from the chains…Yeah. I know that there is pain, but you WRITE ON for one more day.”
HUGE!!
M <><.
Sometimes, we can be silly like this, but I totally get it!
I totally get it! I remember that when I received my PS in the mail, I thought, “They’re so pretty; how will I possibly write on these?!” (I was glad to hear people say, many times, Don’t be afraid to get messy.)
I’m so proud of you for taking this bit leap! Writing in your PowerSheets can be intimidating at times, but it’s the best way to record, track, and make progress on your goals. Way to go on digging into your PS and making progress on your goals! 🎉
I am excited about the progress I have made with my health and habits goal. I am starting to see real progress in this area and that makes me happy.
Next Quarter I am looking to scale back a little and have a little more focus on developing my encouragement ministry. I am hoping that God will give me even more ways to encourage others!
That’s so exciting, Ellyce! Way to go on making progress on your health and habit goals in the first quarter. We’re so excited for you to keep taking steps in cultivating what matters most. 🎉
I loved the action plan of setting an alarm on my phone, before scrolling through social media. It’s a way to engage on platforms guilt free- but then when the alarm rings, no matter where I’m at- it’ll signal to me to sign off. I think this will help my brain to create a priority list before scrolling like birthdays-groups-then feed. I’m excited to try this next week! I’m taking Sunday off socials! WOOHOO!!! Making space and time for what matters most to me! Thanks for sharing!!!
I love this Elizabeth! Setting boundaries around your social media time can help you enjoy the platforms, but not at the expense of wasting valuable time that could be used on things that matter more. Love your plan and thank you so much for sharing! 🎉
I have sown seeds and am seeing progress on my health & wellness, decluttering my house and creating a home, spending more intentional time with my hubby, and developing our wine blog more fully.
Yay, Ann! I love hearing about the progress you are making! Way to go, friend! 🎉
This was helpful! I am guilty of having the “I’ll start next month” mentality so this was a great push to start today and finish Q1 strong. One of my favorite things about Q1 is that our family now does family devotions nearly every single morning. I love seeing our kids learn more about the Word! A goal I want to work more on in Q2 is pouring more into the children we sponsor as a family. I want to consistently write them to encourage them and I want to learn Spanish so I can communicate with them on our next visit!