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The Planner Girlie's Guide to Q4 Success
Published 30 days ago • 5 min read
ISSUE #112
Buzzed on my first pumpkin spice latte of the season, I arranged my treasures on the linoleum bookstore table:
A collection of neon highlighters
Color-coordinated pens
A ruler
A stack of 6 syllabi
And most importantly - a new planner for the school year
This was my favorite part of a new semester.
I started by creating a (color-coded, obviously) weekly view of my class schedule. Using graph paper, I blocked out time by the hour—carefully dividing it into 7 columns and labeling each row starting at 7 a.m. I mapped out my commute, study blocks, and work shifts.
Then, it was time to tackle the due dates.
I went through one syllabus at a time, meticulously checking off every due date and test as I added it to the calendar. For big assignments and deadlines, I gave myself 1-week and 2-week reminders.
my college experience in buffalo in a nutshell
selfies with circle scarfs in my college apartment
These were the days of circle scarves, skinny jeans, and the Nashville Insta filter (on only one pic). It was 2014, and I was a planner "girlie".
Buying a new planner for the school year was something I researched in advance (I had them all, from Filofax to Erin Condren to Day Designer)
I collected seasonal-themed stickers & once bought 100 pads of sticky notes
It was at times a little over the top - but it was also how I managed to take 6 classes, commute 2 hours a day, and work 1-2 jobs at any given time.
I needed to know what was around the corner + have strategies for managing my busy schedule.
These days, I still consider myself a planner girlie, and you already know I couldn't live without Notion, Google Calendar & Sunsama.
Going into a new quarter is really no different than going into a new semester. It's a time to sit down and assess your priorities to figure out what needs to get done and why.
Did you know? 81% of companies using quarterly planning reported being able to adapt more quickly to market changes.
As a solopreneur, it's easy to get pulled in a lot of directions. Quarterly planning helps you prioritize and focus on the most important goals and tasks for your business over a 3-month period.
Reader, we both know time is money—so before the end of the month, block out a couple of hours in your preferred planning tool (Google Calendar, paper planner, or Notion). This investment will save you time and headaches, plus help you accomplish more for your brand without burning out.
Q4 is just around the corner - and if you're anything like me:
You aren't even sure if you planned for Q3 (that feels like a lifetime ago)
You have some big plans for the end of the year
Plus, you're trying to juggle multiple projects + priorities
So in this week's newsletter, we're talking all things planning for Q4 (also known as launch season/sweater szn/how is it already fall, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas season)
Keep Reading For Newsletter Highlights
💩 5 ways to get your shit together for q4
📆 Screw SMART goals - try this instead
🤶🏼 How to make a splash during the Q4 selling season
BEHIND THE BRAND
4 Ways to Get Your Shit Together for Q4
CONSIDER THIS YOUR SEASONAL REMINDER TO CHECK IN ON YOUR SYSTEMS, TASKS, AND PROJECTS.
I've changed things up a lot over the years, from paper planners to hybrid and all-digital - and I honestly believe that you've got to figure out what works for you.
If you don’t really consider yourself a “planner girlie” but you want to feel like you have your shit somewhat together for q4 - here’s where to start.
01. Check and update your availability
If you're a service-based business, this is especially important because you'll want to make sure to manage & fill any open spots.
PS. If you haven't already - make sure to block off time for the Holidays and when you'll be off.
02. Review and update all project timelines, plans, recurring tasks, and content
Consider any shifts in priorities or unexpected challenges since your last planning session. This review ensures your projects align with current goals and constraints as you enter the final quarter.
03. Review launch & promo periods
Make a note of important dates on the calendar, including announcements, waitlist dates, open cart dates, etc.
04. Join the waitlist for the solo-creators design & strategy subscription (coming in Q4). Each month, you'll get:
3 mini masterclasses or tutorials (covering design, tech, and strategy)
5 AI prompts/tips
3 exclusive templates
All designed to help you manage, grow, and build your brand.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's set some goals, but....
Screw SMART Goals & Try This Instead
Quarterly planning typically goes hand in hand with goal setting.
Personally Reader, I'm not great at setting and sticking to goals. What works for me is breaking things down into actionable steps and strategies.
Back in the golden days of corded headphones and undergrad, I never set a goal to make the Dean's List. I just knew that if I did everything in my planner, it would likely happen.
There's a lot that goes into achieving goals for your brand, and SMART goals don't really work for me. Here's what I do instead:
I focus on things I can control. Can I control how many people follow me or see my content? Not really... But I can control how I show up and connect with my audience, ensuring my actions align with that intention.
Rather than setting a goal of gaining 1,000 Instagram followers, I concentrate on controllable factors.
I start with simple content creation goals. How many pieces of content do I want to put out in an ideal month?This includes Instagram, blogs, Pinterest, and email.
Instead of writing SMART goals that I'll never look at again, I determine what actions are needed to achieve those goals. Then I schedule those actions and do my best!
Finally, I add those content pieces and the actions I need to take to create them to my task management system or calendar.
Consider creating these goals:
A content goal: Simply decide how many pieces of content you want to create each month
A community goal: Set an intention for how you want to show up and connect with your audience
A personal goal: Focus on self-care, like nurturing your nervous system and making time for boredom. Break this down into actionable strategies such as:
Scheduling "trash can days" during your cycle
Setting reminders to create monthly snapshots
Planning time for personal projects
Remember, the key is to focus on what you can control and break your goals down into manageable, actionable steps.
Keep scrolling for some more ways I can help ↓
FROM THE BLOG
how to make a splash during the q4 selling season
Building A Brand That Sells Itself: Sales & Launch Tactics for Small Brands
Welcome to your new favorite notion page, the brand dashboard! Learn how I plan my week quickly, track habits, set goals, and organize tasks for my brand. I also share tips on customizing the dashboard to suit your needs.
I am now booking my final 1:1 client design or management spot for 2024. Learn more about my 1:1 services and inquire about the final 2024 spots, or working with me in 2025.
Share your thoughts, feedback, or even suggestions for future topics. I value your input and can't wait to hear from you. Please email me at catie@cedarjunestudio.com, and let's keep the conversation going!
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