#92. What Most SLPs Skip (But Shouldn’t): The 90-Day Review That Actually Works
If January feels like it happened five minutes ago and five years ago, same. For many SLPs, this time of year brings a weird mix of burnout and pressure to “get it together.” But before you throw another color-coded planner at your schedule, try this: a 90-day reset that helps you pause, reflect, and move forward on purpose.
Let’s be honest — does January feel like a lifetime ago?
If the last few months have flown by in a blur of therapy sessions, IEPs, school pickups, and barely-warm coffee, you're not alone. For most SLPs, the New Year hype fades fast… and with it, the goals and intentions we so enthusiastically set.
But here's the good news: you don’t need to wait for a “fresh start” to reset. You just need a plan.
In fact, one of the best-kept secrets to sustainable progress (the kind that actually sticks) isn’t more motivation — it’s reflection and review.
That’s why I do quarterly planning. And why I teach it to my clients.
Because when you pause long enough to identify what IS and ISN’T working, you start taking aligned, intentional action — instead of staying stuck in the “just survive the week” cycle.
Why Quarterly Planning Works (Especially for Busy Brains)
We all love a fresh start. But year-long resolutions? They’re often too abstract, too big, and too easy to drop when life gets chaotic (which it always does). That’s where the 90-day lens comes in.
A quarterly review helps you:
Reconnect to your goals (and revise them if needed)
Celebrate wins you forgot about (you have more than you think!)
Learn from what didn’t go well (without judgment)
Set intentional priorities for the next 90 days
It gives you clarity. Focus. And a sense of progress — without needing your whole life to change overnight.
How to Do a Simple Quarterly Review
You don’t need a complicated system. Here’s the exact process I walk through every quarter (and shared in full inside the free SLP Support Group — more on that in a sec):
Step 1: Reflect
Start with a brain dump. Look back over your calendar and jot down anything that stands out — accomplishments, events, big changes, challenges. Flip through the last 90 days and let your memory jog you.
Then ask:
What went well?
What were my biggest wins?
What didn’t go so well?
What’s draining my time or energy?
Use categories or “buckets” if it helps — personal, family, work, home. You’re more than your job, and your review should reflect that.
Step 2: Learn from It
Now that you’ve identified some wins and setbacks, ask:
What did I learn?
What needs to change?
What do I want to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing?
Be honest, but be kind. The goal here is clarity — not shame.
Step 3: Plan the Next 90 Days
Based on your review, choose 2–4 priorities for the next quarter. Think of these as focus areas — not rigid rules. You’re just giving your time and energy some direction.
Then, break them down into smaller goals. Map them across the next three months. Decide what success looks like, and how you’ll track it.
(A little tracking goes a long way — I like seeing all 90 days on one sheet so I can watch my progress build.)
Want My Full 90-Day Planning Pack?
I created a full printable review and planning guide to walk you through every step of this process. It includes:
A quarterly review template
Goal-setting prompts
Monthly breakdown pages
A 90-day mini calendar
🎯 You can download it for free inside the SLP Support Group on Facebook. Click here to join and grab your copy!
Let This Be the Quarter You Stop “Just Getting Through It”
You don’t need a brand-new planner, a Monday start, or the “perfect week” to get back on track. You just need to pause, reflect, and recommit to what matters most to you.
Because real change isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, consistent progress — the kind that builds energy instead of draining it.
If you’re ready to make that shift (and want some support while you do it), I’ve got you.
I currently have three 1:1 coaching spots open — and this 90-day framework is the foundation of the work we’ll do together. It’s tailored. It’s realistic. And it’s created for SLPs like you.
📅 Click here to book a free consult and let’s talk about how we can build your next 90 days together.