Q4 Planning Checklist: 3 Steps to End the Year Strong
We’re almost in the last 90 days of the year — can you believe it?
The holidays are right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean the year is over. In fact, Q4 is the perfect time to pause, refocus, and set yourself up to finish the year with intention (and a little breathing room).
Today, I’m sharing my Q4 Planning Checklist — three simple steps you can take to wrap up 2025 feeling organized, proud of your progress, and ready to welcome 2026 with a clear head.
Step 1: Reflect + Review
Before you can plan forward, it helps to look back.
Spend a few minutes reviewing the past three quarters of your year. Flip through your planner pages or scroll through your digital calendar and ask yourself:
What were my biggest wins? (Celebrate them!)
Where did I struggle or feel stuck?
Are there any unfinished projects that still feel important?
What can I let go of or move to next year’s list?
This step is all about clarity — not judgment. You’re simply gathering information so you can decide what really matters for the next three months.
💡 Pro Tip: If you love journaling, write down a few reflections about how you felt this year went. Sometimes looking at the “big picture” helps you spot patterns or habits you want to carry into the new year.
Step 2: Refocus Your Goals
Once you know where you’ve been, it’s time to choose where you’re going.
Pick one to three goals or projects to focus on in Q4. Any more than that, and you risk feeling overwhelmed — and no one needs extra stress during the holidays.
Break those goals down into smaller, actionable steps you can sprinkle throughout October, November, and December. For example:
Goal: Organize my home office before January
Week 1: Declutter desk and file drawers
Week 2: Order storage bins and labels
Week 3: Set up a system for papers
Week 4: Style the space and celebrate!
This makes your big goals feel manageable and helps you see real progress as the weeks go by.
Step 3: Plan & Prep
Now comes the fun part — getting it all into your planner!
Mark Key Dates: Add holidays, birthdays, school breaks, travel days, and any major deadlines.
Plan Ahead: Start mapping out things like gift lists, grocery shopping, meal prep, and seasonal tasks.
Create a Holiday Hub: Dedicate a section in your planner or binder to everything holiday-related — menus, card lists, budgets, and party plans. Having it all in one place will save you so much stress in December.
Leave Space for Rest: It’s tempting to fill every square inch of your calendar, but white space is your friend. Build in time for cozy nights, family traditions, and downtime.
💡 Pro Tip: Batch-plan where you can. For example, plan content for your business, schedule routine appointments, and meal plan for a few weeks at a time so you’re not scrambling.
Bonus: Free Q4 Planning Worksheet
To make this even easier, I put together a free Q4 Planning Worksheet you can download.
Use it to reflect on the year so far, choose your top 3 goals, and break them into actionable steps you can plug into your planner.
Final Thoughts
Q4 doesn’t have to feel like a mad dash to the finish line. With a little reflection, a few focused goals, and a plan to get them done, you can close out the year feeling calm, accomplished, and ready for what’s next.
💖 Need a planner that can hold all those plans, goals, and holiday lists? Check out my 2026 Everything Planners and seasonal printables in the shop — they’re perfect for Q4 planning and getting a head start on the new year!
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