How to Reflect on Your Month & Reset for the Next One
As we close the chapter on January and prepare to step into February, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset. Life moves fast, and without intentional reflection, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos without acknowledging our progress or adjusting our plans.
In this guide, we’ll walk through a step-by-step monthly reflection and reset process to help you stay aligned with your goals, celebrate your progress, and set yourself up for success in the month ahead.
Step 1: Reflect on the Past Month
Before diving into February’s goals, take a moment to look back at January. Grab your planner or journal and ask yourself:
✅ What went well? Celebrate your wins—big and small. Did you reach a goal? Stick to a habit? Make progress on something important?
✅ What challenges did I face? Life happens! Identify obstacles that made it harder to stay on track.
✅ What did I learn? Every month teaches us something new. Maybe you discovered a routine that works well or a habit that needs tweaking.
✅ Did my goals still feel aligned? If something felt off, it’s okay to adjust. Goals should inspire, not drain you!
✅ How do I feel overall? Energy, emotions, and mindset play a huge role in productivity. Pay attention to how you felt throughout the month.
Pro Tip: Write your reflections down! Seeing patterns over time will help you make better adjustments.
Step 2: Clear the Slate
Now that you’ve reflected, it’s time for a fresh start! Here are some ways to reset before moving forward:
🧹 Declutter your planner & workspace – Remove unnecessary papers, update your task lists, and tidy up your space.
📅 Tie up loose ends – Finish (or reschedule) unfinished tasks so they don’t linger into the new month.
💖 Check in with your mindset – Let go of guilt if you didn’t accomplish everything. Progress > perfection!
🎉 Celebrate your wins! Whether it’s checking things off your list or rewarding yourself with a small treat, acknowledge what you DID accomplish.
Step 3: Set Your Intentions for the Next Month
With a fresh perspective, it’s time to set up February for success.
📌 Review your big-picture goals – Are they still relevant? Do they need adjusting?
📆 Break goals into actionable steps – What can you realistically accomplish this month? Be specific!
⏳ Plan your routines – Do you need to adjust your morning/evening routines to better support your goals?
📖 Create space for self-care – Don’t just plan your to-dos; schedule things that recharge you, too!
💡 Choose a focus word or theme – What do you want February to feel like? Examples: Intentional, Bold, Simplify.
Step 4: Update Your Planner & Prep for Success
Your planner is your secret weapon for staying organized. Here’s how to set it up for the new month:
📆 Add important dates – Appointments, deadlines, birthdays, and events.
📝 Plan your top priorities – What are the MUST-DO items for the month? (Pro tip: the To-Do with Priorities insert might be a great addition to your planner!)
📊 Track habits & progress – Choose 1-3 habits to track that will help you move closer to your goals.
🔄 Review your weekly/daily setup – Does your current system work, or does it need tweaking?
🎯 Set reminders & check-in points – Mid-month is a great time for a quick reflection to stay on track!
Bonus: Grab Your Monthly Reflection & Reset Printable!
I’ve created a one-page printable with all the steps outlined above so you can easily work through your monthly reset process. Keep it in your planner as a guide each month!
Let’s make February a month of intentional progress! How do you like to reset for a new month? Drop a comment below!