Written by: Coach Dorene MacVey

As I look toward the final quarter of the year, I find myself thinking about December 31.

When I get there, what do I want to be able to say about this year?

When I play the story back, there is already so much to be grateful for, including family weddings, vacations, a new birth in our family, business growth and connections, and plenty of opportunities to learn about myself.

It’s been a full year.

But it’s not over yet.

And I don’t see the months ahead as pressure to cram more in. I see them as an opportunity to be intentional about where I put my energy.

Because finishing strong doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes it means doing less but doing it intentionally.

My Fourth Quarter Check-In

Using the ithrive31 model, I look across six areas of my life: financial, physical, emotional, professional, relationship, and spiritual, and ask:

Where am I now? Where do I want to be on December 31? And where do I need to put my energy between now and then?

Here’s my fourth quarter check-in:

Financial: I still have business financial targets to hit, so where can I focus my energy to move closer? Personally, we’re also in the middle of a major home remodel. Anyone who has remodeled knows how quickly the phrase, “while we’re doing this, we might as well…” can lead to scope creep. Yup, that phrase! So staying within our budget is definitely a fourth-quarter financial focus for me.

Physical: I have a desire to keep moving, keep walking, make smart choices about what I eat and drink, and prioritize rest. I will keep the focus on the daily choices I make.

Emotional: A clear energizer for my mental space is to finish the year feeling more organized and less cluttered. Our fourth quarter remodel gives me the perfect opportunity to make progress here.

Professional: I plan to continue growing the business while protecting my personal balance. This fall, that includes onboarding new coaches, renewing my PCC certification and investing in a few opportunities that will help me grow.

Relationship: So, getting through the remodel while staying married seems like an appropriate relationship goal, lol! Beyond that, enjoying family over the holidays and making room for at least one friend activity each month that makes me laugh is an energy booster for sure.

Spiritual: I plan to continue my 6 a.m. Thursday women’s Bible study. These women keep me grounded and supported. Staying tethered spiritually is a non-negotiable.

That’s my list.

Not a giant fourth quarter goal sheet. Just a clearer picture of where I want to put my energy in the fourth quarter of my year.

What About You?

Take a few minutes and look across the six areas of your life:

Financial. Physical. Emotional. Professional. Relationship. Spiritual.

Where are you today?

Where would you like to be on December 31?

And most importantly:

Where could you put your energy now that would make the biggest difference?

Finishing strong isn't about arriving at December 31 exhausted from trying to do everything.

It's about deciding what matters and putting your energy there.

There is still plenty of year left.

Make it count.