Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Monthly Reset

Step 3: Break Down Your Goals

Once your monthly vision is clear, it’s time to take those big-picture goals and break them down into smaller, actionable steps. This is where the magic happens—transforming your big aspirations into a clear plan that ensures steady progress

1. Start with SMART Goals

Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This ensures they’re actionable and realistic.

• Example: Instead of saying, “Grow my business,” reframe it as, “Increase revenue by 20% this month by launching a new service and promoting it through Instagram and email marketing.”

2. Break Monthly Goals into Weekly Steps

Once you’ve set your goals, divide them into weekly milestones. This makes them less overwhelming and easier to tackle. Use the monthly overview section of your small business planner to outline what needs to happen each week.

• Example Monthly Goal: Grow email list by 1,000 subscribers.

• Weekly Breakdown:

  • Week 1: Design a new lead magnet.

  • Week 2: Build a landing page and set up email automation.

  • Week 3: Promote lead magnet through Instagram and paid ads.

  • Week 4: Analyze results and optimize campaigns.

By dividing goals into weekly steps, you create a roadmap that keeps you on track all month long.

3. Assign Daily Tasks

Now, take those weekly steps and break them into specific daily tasks. Use your planner’s daily task section to prioritize your time and stay productive.

• Example Daily Task List for Week 1:

  • Monday: Brainstorm lead magnet ideas.

  • Tuesday: Create a draft for the lead magnet content.

  • Wednesday: Finalize lead magnet design.

  • Thursday: Write copy for the landing page.

  • Friday: Review and test lead magnet before launch.

  • Saturday: Launch a social media campaign

  • Sunday: Send paid traffic via Facebook ads to landing page

This approach ensures you’re consistently chipping away at your goals without feeling overwhelmed and putting too much pressure on one day.

4. Use Planner Tools to Track Progress

Your small business planner is the key for staying organized and tracking your progress. Use features like the habit tracker, sales tracker, or weekly review section to see how you’re doing and adjust as needed.

• Example: If your goal is to post daily on Instagram, use the habit tracker to check off each day you complete this task. At the end of the week, review your performance and make adjustments if needed.

5. Check In Weekly

At the end of each week, reflect on what you’ve accomplished and what needs to carry over to the next week. This keeps you aligned with your monthly vision and helps you avoid falling behind.

• Ask yourself:

  • Did I complete my weekly milestones?

  • What tasks do I need to carry into next week?

Action Step: Write down your weekly goals and break them into daily tasks in your daily planner. This simple process transforms your monthly goals into actionable, achievable steps.

Step 4: Prioritize Daily Tasks

Daily tasks are the foundation of your productivity. While big goals are exciting, they’re accomplished one step at a time. This is where prioritization comes in. By focusing on the right tasks each day, you can stay organized, avoid overwhelm, and keep making progress toward your monthly goals.

1. Start with Your Top 3 Priorities

Every morning, identify the Top 3 Priorities for your day. These are your must-dos—tasks that will have the biggest impact on your goals. Use the dedicated section in your daily planner to list them.

• Example Top 3 Priorities:

  1. Write and schedule Instagram posts for the week.

  2. Finalize your email campaign for the lead magnet launch.

  3. Restock inventory for your upcoming promotion.

By tackling these first, you ensure the most important work gets done, even if your day gets hectic.

2. Separate Work and Personal Tasks

Your daily planner should help you manage all aspects of your life, not just work. Use separate lists for work tasks and personal tasks to ensure balance.

• Work Tasks:

  • Respond to client emails.

  • Plan content for next week’s blog post.

  • Update your website’s homepage.

• Personal Tasks:

  • Morning workout.

  • Grocery shopping for the week.

  • Family movie night.

By keeping these lists separate, you’ll avoid mixing priorities and ensure neither area of your life gets neglected.

3. Time-Block Your Schedule

Time-blocking is a game-changer for productivity. It’s the act of assigning specific time slots to each task, so you know exactly when to work on what. Use the time-blocking section of your small business planner to schedule your day.

• Example Daily Time-Block:

  • 8:00–9:00 AM: Morning routine and set daily priorities.

  • 9:00–10:30 AM: Write Instagram posts.

  • 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Schedule email campaign.

  • 1:00–2:00 PM: Personal errands (grocery shopping).

  • 3:00–4:00 PM: Restock inventory and update tracking.

Time-blocking helps you stay focused and prevents procrastination by assigning a purpose to every hour of your day.

4. Assign One Actionable Step Toward Your Weekly Goal

Each day, identify one task that directly contributes to your weekly goal and make it non-negotiable. By doing this consistently, you’ll ensure steady progress.

• Example:

  • Weekly Goal: Design and launch a lead magnet.

  • Today’s Actionable Step: Finalize the landing page design.

This simple step ensures you’re always working toward the bigger picture.

5. Track Your Progress

Use the tracking tools in your planner to monitor your daily accomplishments.

• Check off completed tasks from your lists.

• Use the habit tracker to log recurring tasks, like posting on social media or completing your morning routine.

• Track daily sales in the sales tracker section to measure business performance.

Example: “Sold 15 units today = $750 revenue. On track for my weekly sales goal of $3,000!”

6. End Your Day with Reflection

At the end of each day, take 5–10 minutes to reflect on how things went. Use the daily reflection prompts in your journal or planner to answer questions like:

• What did I accomplish today?

• What challenges did I face, and how can I improve tomorrow?

• What am I grateful for today?

Example Reflection Entry: “I’m proud of finishing my Instagram content early, but I struggled to stay focused during my afternoon tasks. Tomorrow, I’ll plan a 15-minute break to recharge.”

Action Step: Each morning, write down your Top 3 Priorities and schedule them into your day using the time-blocking section. At night, reflect on your progress to keep improving and staying aligned.

Step 5: Organize Finances and Inventory

Managing your finances and inventory is a key part of running a successful small business. A monthly reset is the perfect time to review your financials, plan for upcoming expenses, and ensure you have everything you need to meet your goals for the month. Staying organized in these areas not only saves you time and stress but also helps you make smarter decisions for your business.

1. Review Last Month’s Income and Expenses

Start by evaluating your financial performance for the previous month. Use the budgeting section of your small business planner to track your income, expenses, and profit.

• What to Look At:

  • Total revenue: How much money did you bring in?

  • Total expenses: Where did your money go?

  • Net profit: What’s left after expenses?

• Example Entry:

  • Revenue: $10,000.

  • Expenses: $6,500.

  • Profit: $3,500.

Understanding where your money came from and where it went will help you plan more effectively for the month ahead.

2. Set Financial Goals for the Month

Once you’ve reviewed the past month, set clear financial goals for the new one. These could include increasing revenue, cutting unnecessary expenses, or saving for future investments.

• Example Financial Goals:

  • Increase revenue by 15% by launching a new product.

  • Reduce shipping costs by 10% through bulk ordering.

  • Set aside $500 for a social media ad campaign.

Write these goals in your planner and break them down into weekly and daily tasks to stay on track.

3. Plan for Upcoming Expenses

Look ahead and anticipate any major expenses for the month, such as inventory restocks, marketing campaigns, or software subscriptions. Add these to your budget to avoid surprises.

• Example Expenses:

  • Restock inventory for best-selling products: $1,200.

  • Paid social media ads: $300.

  • Monthly software subscriptions: $150.

4. Track Your Inventory Levels

For product-based businesses, inventory management is critical. Use your small business planner to track what’s in stock, what’s running low, and what needs to be reordered.

• Monthly Inventory Tasks:

  • Count current inventory levels for all products.

  • Identify top-selling items that may need restocking.

  • Note slow-moving items and plan a promotion to move them.

• Example:

  • Product A: 20 units left, reorder by next week.

  • Product B: Overstocked, plan a sale to reduce inventory.

  • Product C: Out of stock, reorder immediately.

5. Forecast Sales Goals

Set realistic sales goals for the month and align your inventory plan with those goals. This ensures you’re fully prepared for demand.

• Example:

  • Monthly Sales Goal: Sell 300 units of Product A.

  • Weekly Goal: Sell 75 units (via Instagram promotions and email marketing).

  • Action Plan: Reorder 100 units by mid-month to maintain stock levels.

6. Track Progress Weekly

Use the sales tracker section in your daily planner to monitor daily and weekly sales. This helps you stay aware of your progress and adjust strategies as needed.

• Example Sales Tracker Entry:

  • Week 1: Sold 70 units ($3,500 revenue).

  • Week 2: Sold 50 units ($2,500 revenue).

  • Action: Increase Instagram ads to boost Week 3 sales.

7. Plan for Growth

A monthly reset isn’t just about maintaining—it’s about growing. Use this time to identify opportunities for scaling your business, such as launching a new product, adding a service, or expanding to a new platform.

• Example Growth Plan:

  • Launch a new lead magnet to grow email subscribers by 500.

  • Collaborate with an influencer to increase product visibility.

  • Offer a limited-time bundle to boost sales.

Action Step: Dedicate 30 minutes during your monthly reset to review your financials and inventory. Write down your income, expenses, inventory needs, and sales goals in your daily planner to ensure you’re financially prepared and aligned with your monthly vision.

Step 6: Plan for Balance and Self-Care

A successful month isn’t just about achieving business goals—it’s about finding balance and taking care of yourself along the way. As a solopreneur or small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to prioritize your well-being. But here’s the truth: when you’re at your best, so is your business. Incorporating balance and self-care into your monthly reset ensures you’ll stay energized, focused, and ready to tackle anything that comes your way.

1. Review Your Work-Life Balance

Take a few minutes to reflect on how well you balanced work and personal life last month. Ask yourself:

• Did I schedule enough time for family, friends, and hobbies?

• Did I feel overwhelmed or burned out? Why?

• What can I do differently this month to create more balance?

Example Reflection:
"Last month, I worked late most nights and skipped my workout routine. This month, I’ll set a boundary to end work by 6 PM and schedule workouts into my weekly plan."

2. Schedule Non-Negotiable Self-Care

Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Use your small business planner to block out time for activities that recharge you. Treat these blocks as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.

• Examples of Self-Care Activities:

  • Morning yoga or a 30-minute workout.

  • Lunch breaks away from your desk.

  • Weekend walks, movie nights, or time with loved ones.

  • 15 minutes of journaling or reading before bed.

• Example Time Block:

  • Monday, 7:00–7:30 AM: Morning stretch and gratitude journaling.

  • Wednesday, 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch with a friend.

  • Saturday, 3:00–5:00 PM: Family game night.

By scheduling self-care into your daily planner, you’re prioritizing your mental and physical health alongside your business goals.

3. Identify Stress Triggers

Think about what caused stress or burnout last month and brainstorm ways to manage it. This could involve delegating tasks, setting clearer boundaries, or simplifying your workload.

• Example Stress Triggers:

  • Spending too much time on low-value tasks (e.g., answering non-urgent emails).

  • Overcommitting to projects.

  • Skipping breaks during the workday.

Action Plan:

• Delegate repetitive tasks to a virtual assistant.

• Use your daily planner to block time for deep work and schedule breaks.

• Say “no” to opportunities that don’t align with your priorities.

4. Plan Time Off

A monthly reset is a great time to plan time off for the month ahead. Whether it’s a full day to recharge or a few hours of downtime, scheduling breaks ensures you don’t burn out.

• Examples:

  • Take one afternoon a week off to focus on yourself.

  • Plan a long weekend for a mini-vacation.

  • Schedule a monthly "no-work day" to relax and reset.

5. Add Personal Goals to Your Planner

Balance isn’t just about taking breaks—it’s also about setting goals outside of work. Use your small business planner to track personal goals for health, relationships, or hobbies.

• Example Personal Goals:

  • Exercise 3 times a week.

  • Read one book this month.

  • Plan a date night or family outing.

By treating personal goals with the same importance as business goals, you’re setting yourself up for a more fulfilling month.

6. Celebrate Yourself

Don’t wait until the end of the year to celebrate your wins—make it a monthly habit. Use your journal or daily planner to acknowledge your progress, no matter how small.

• Examples of Monthly Celebrations:

  • Treat yourself to a coffee from your favorite shop.

  • Take a relaxing spa day.

  • Reflect on your accomplishments with a gratitude journaling session.

Example Journal Entry:
"This month, I launched a new product and stuck to my morning routine. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come and excited to see what’s next!"

Action Step: At the beginning of each month, schedule at least three self-care activities and one full day off in your daily planner. Reflect on stress triggers and create a plan to manage them, ensuring balance and well-being are always part of your strategy.

Step 7: Commit to the Month Ahead

You’ve reflected on the past, set your vision, broken down your goals, prioritized your daily tasks, organized your finances, and planned for balance. Now, it’s time to make the ultimate commitment to yourself and your goals for the month ahead. This final step in your monthly reset routine ties everything together, giving you the focus and motivation to tackle your new plan with confidence.

1. Write a Commitment Statement

Start the new month by writing a simple yet powerful commitment statement in your small business planner or journal. This statement is your promise to yourself to stay consistent and intentional.

• Example Commitment Statements:

  • "This month, I am committed to staying consistent with my goals, showing up daily for myself and my business, and celebrating my progress along the way."

  • "I will prioritize my top 3 tasks each day, manage my time wisely, and create space for both productivity and balance."

Writing your commitment sets the tone for the month and helps you stay focused when challenges arise.

2. Create a Monthly Affirmation

Affirmations are a great way to keep your mindset positive and aligned with your goals. Add an affirmation to your vision board or write it at the top of your planner’s monthly page.

• Examples of Affirmations:

  • "I am capable of achieving my goals with clarity and focus."

  • "Every day, I make progress toward my dreams."

  • "I balance productivity and self-care with ease."

Read your affirmation daily to reinforce your commitment.

3. Schedule a Mid-Month Check-In

Set a reminder in your planner for a mid-month review to see how you’re progressing and make any necessary adjustments. Use this check-in to celebrate wins, troubleshoot challenges, and realign with your goals.

• Example Mid-Month Check-In Prompts:

  • Am I on track with my monthly goals?

  • What’s working well, and what needs to change?

  • Are my daily tasks still aligned with my priorities?

Scheduling this intentional time ensures you’re not just resetting at the start of the month, but continuously refining your plan.

4. Share Your Goals for Accountability

Accountability can be a game-changer when it comes to staying consistent. Share your monthly goals with a friend, business partner, or accountability group.

• Ways to Stay Accountable:

  • Post your monthly goals in a business group or on social media.

  • Partner with a fellow solopreneur for weekly check-ins.

  • Use Your Brand Co’s community to share your progress.

When others are cheering you on, you’ll feel more motivated to follow through.

5. Plan a Reward for the End of the Month

Incentivize yourself by planning a small reward for completing your goals. Rewards give you something to look forward to and make the hard work feel worth it.

• Examples of Monthly Rewards:

  • Treat yourself to a nice dinner or a spa day.

  • Buy something you’ve been wanting for your workspace or personal life.

  • Take a day off to relax and reflect on your progress.

Celebrating your achievements reinforces positive habits and keeps you motivated for the next month.

6. Visualize Your Success

Close your monthly reset by taking a few minutes to visualize what success will look and feel like at the end of the month. Picture yourself accomplishing your goals and experiencing the joy and satisfaction that comes with it.

• Visualization Example:

  • Imagine hitting your sales target, seeing your customer feedback, and feeling proud of the progress you’ve made.

  • Picture yourself balancing work and personal life, feeling energized and fulfilled by the month you’ve created.

Visualization helps reinforce your motivation and reminds you why you’re putting in the effort.

Action Step: Write your commitment statement and monthly affirmation in your planner. Schedule your mid-month check-in and choose a reward for completing your goals. Close your reset by taking a moment to visualize your success and feel confident in the month ahead.

A monthly reset isn’t just about organizing your tasks—it’s a powerful way to realign with your goals, reflect on your progress, and create a plan that keeps you focused and balanced. By dedicating time to this monthly routine, you’re setting yourself up for a month of clarity, productivity, and intentional growth. Whether you’re prioritizing your business goals, managing your daily tasks, or committing to self-care, this step-by-step guide empowers you to take control of your month and make meaningful progress.

Now it’s your turn. Grab your small business planner , carve out time for your reset, and start building a month that truly supports your vision. Remember, productivity doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of consistent, intentional planning. Let’s make this your most productive month yet!

If you want to buy a business goal planner, you can check out more on our store.