Blake Snow

writer-for-hire, content guy, bestselling author

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Tagged planning

Forget quarterly reports. Plan in thirds.

Courtesy Shutterstock

Four times a year is too frequent. Twice a year isn’t enough.

That’s the thinking behind my annual “thirdly” planning and reporting system I’ve adopted in recent years. It works like this.

First third happens from January through April, when new year excitement, growth, and determination are at their peak.

Second third takes place in the doldrums of summer (May through August), when things often slow down and people adjust to the annual hump period of the year.

Third third runs from September through December, a time when many of us recommit to hitting year end goals before finally slowing down at the end of the year.

I get it—thirds don’t sound as professional as quarters and will likely never catch on. But operating this way has simplified my year approach and worked a lot better for my professional and personal progress.

I’m confident it can do the same for you. Don’t knock it until you try it.

See also: More than just photos, rule of thirds is the balanced life

Winning time: 7 ways to crush your calendar

If you’re able to organize your life without a calendar, I have two things to say: 1) You are a miracle; and 2) The following does not apply to you.

For everyone else, I have some proven advice that will help you get the most from your daily, weekly, monthly, and even annual schedule, while helping you free up precious time and prioritize things that are more important to you.

In no particular order, they are as follows:

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