Today is March 30, so I’m working on making my goals for the next season of the year, which starts April 1. In my planning year, there are 5 seasons:

Winter: January 1- March 31 (3 months)

Spring: April 1- June 30 (3 months)

Summer: July 1-August 30 (2 months)

Fall: September 1-November 30 (3 months)

Holiday: December 1-31 (1 month)

Planning for a shorter summer and a fifth season for holiday time fits better with my teaching schedule. It wouldn’t make any sense to set goals for July 1-September 30, when the month of September is completely different from my summer vacation months. It requires a fresh start. And I love having December as my holiday month, because it has an atypical amount of planning for family events, school concerts, and decorating/baking/gift buying, which shifts my focus away from other things. I also use December as reflection and big-picture planning for the following year.

I have themes for my 5 seasons that help guide my goals for the year.

Winter Focus

1. Writing: Research, plan and prepare for next Big Writing Project; search submission calls for essays; read and write shorter pieces; take classes or work with writing groups
2. Exercise: Do several Mossa classes per week; strength-training
3. Family/Home: Create indoor play spaces, routines and games for the kids; plan summer trips and camps; focus on financial plans and budgeting
4. Hobbies: Bake bread, read

Spring Focus

1. Writing: Use pomodoro method to write a draft of Big Writing Project, usually a novel draft; write shorter pieces when time allows
2. Exercise: Start adding evening walks; ride bike whenever possible
3. Family/Home: Organize playdates and outdoor fun for kids; sign up for fall classes and sports; plan and hire for any repairs or house work; declutter house; buy new clothes for kids
4. Hobbies: Read

Summer Focus

1. Writing: Let Big Writing Project rest, then edit; prepare for submission or querying if material is ready; attend conferences and network
2. Exercise: Work out every morning early, before the heat; take walks when it’s cool enough
3. Family/Home: VACATIONS! Packing, planning, having fun!
4. Hobbies: Read, try new recipes, card games, painting or drawing

Fall Focus

1. Writing: Querying or re-writing/editing Big Writing Project; look for submission calls for essays; write essays
2. Exercise: Ride bike and walk as much as possible during crisp fall weather; transition to more Mossa workouts
3. Family/Home: Transition back to school, plan holidays; buy new clothes for kids
4. Hobbies: Bake, read, color or other meditative things

Holiday Focus

1. Writing: Reflecting on past year and setting goals and intentions for year ahead
2. Exercise: As much as possible with busy schedule (to keep weight off from holiday indulgences!)
3. Family/Home: Decorate for the holidays, plan holiday events, buy and wrap gifts, bake Christmas cookies
4. Hobbies: Watch holiday movies

Do you organize your year into seasons, or quarters? How often do you set goals for yourself?