How to plan your next quarter for more financial success

It's Not About The Money

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Episode Overview

In this episode, I explore the art of quarterly financial planning as we approach the start of a new quarter in 2025. Whether you've never created a financial plan before, have ambitious money goals gathering dust, or have had to pivot due to unexpected circumstances, this episode offers practical guidance on creating a financial roadmap that actually works.

Key Highlights

Why Most Financial Plans Fail

Living by default rather than design - executing other people's priorities
Spending too much time responding to others' needs versus pursuing personal financial goals
Getting caught in the "urgency trap" and constantly firefighting
True financial wealth is created when focusing on important but non-urgent tasks

The Eisenhower Time Matrix for Financial Planning

Four quadrants based on urgency and importance
Most people spend their days trapped in urgent quadrants (important and unimportant)
Financial growth happens in the "important but not urgent" quadrant, including:
- Regular review of spending patterns
- Learning about investing
- Building strategic relationships
- Developing new income streams or offers
The value of regular money dates: 20 minutes a week on one financial area

Making Financial Goals Motivating

Don't just set empty money targets (e.g., "make £10,000")
Connect financial goals to deeper meaning and purpose
Ask: "What will this allow me to experience? How will my life change?"
Identify the feeling you're seeking: security, freedom, peace, expansion
Research shows we're more motivated by purpose than numbers

The Danger of Over-Planning

Setting too many financial goals leads to overwhelm and failure
The fear of spaciousness: filling calendars because emptiness feels unsafe
Follow the "one-three-five" rule:
- One major financial goal
- Three supporting goals
- Five routine habits to maintain progress
Quality over quantity applies to financial goals
Over-planning often stems from scarcity thinking

Planning According to Seasons

Different quarters require different approaches to financial planning
Aligning financial activities with natural energy cycles:
- Spring: Planting new seeds, starting projects, learning money skills
- Summer: Execution and expansion (with family time consideration)
- Autumn: Harvesting, reviewing, optimising systems and expenses
- Winter: Resting, reflecting, preparing for next year's growth
Consider personal cycles: menstrual cycles, numerology cycles, energy patterns
The importance of recognising which season you're in with your financial journey

Final Thought

Financial success comes from intentional planning aligned with values and natural energy cycles. Start with the next 90 days rather than trying to plan the entire year at once and allow flexibility for changes and adjustments along the way.

Chapters

00:00 Embracing New Beginnings: Financial Planning for the Quarter Ahead

02:45 Identifying Personal Financial Goals: Beyond the Numbers

06:03 The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritizing Financial Tasks

08:55 Transforming Planning into a Joyful Experience

12:14 Avoiding Over-Planning: The Power of Focus

15:02 Understanding Seasonal Financial Planning

17:54 Creating a Flexible Financial Framework

20:46 Conclusion: Intentional Planning for Financial Success

Resources:

Get my FREE book 'It's Not About The Money'

Take the Money StoryTypes® Quiz

Come to our Wealth Awakening Retreat

Become a Certified Financial Coach

336 episodes