Essential Things To Do At The Start Of Every Month
The beginning of the month offers an excellent opportunity to get organized. Furthermore, planning your month correctly sets a positive tone for your success, productivity, and happiness.
So, let’s delve into ten essential things to do at the start of every month.
10 Steps To Plan Your Month Correctly
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1. Reflect On Your Current State
It’s an excellent habit to step back and take a little time to think at the start of each month. Thus, reflect on your current state and your progress last month.
Ask yourself questions like the following:
- How did the month go?
- What did I do well?
- How should I improve?
- What can I achieve this new month?
If you keep a journal, this is a perfect time to review it.
Through this process of reflection, you will come up with ideas for ways to change, adapt, and improve.
2. Focus On What Is Working And Play To Your Strengths
As you reflect, consider what is going well in your life and what is not. Then, emphasize the positive and eliminate the negative.
Thus, rather than obsessing over the negative, I recommend handling obstacles in other ways. Doing so will allow you to be careful with your time and help you stay focused, positive, and productive.
So, for those troubling tasks, do one of the following:
- Eliminate it
- Automate it
- Outsource it
- Delegate it
- Replace it
Finally, if all of the above options fail, overcome your challenges by turning your weakness into an opportunity for personal growth.
3. Set Your Intentions And Goals For The Month
Setting goals helps you organize, focus, prioritize, and maximize the impact of your actions.
Monthly goals have many benefits over long-term objectives. Specifically, monthly planning lets you break down your yearly goals into small chunks for faster results.
Related resource: How to Set Monthly Goals
4. Create A To-Do List
Take your goals further and create a detailed to-do list of what you must accomplish this month. Your list should include essential activities like bill payments, scheduling appointments, and upcoming deadlines.
Align your to-do list with your monthly goals and intentions. Balance necessary short-term tasks with the longer-term objectives you have set for yourself.
Must read – Best Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
5. Make A Calendar Of Events For The Month
I recommend a large wall calendar or a notebook-sized monthly planner for an overview of your schedule. Record all significant events, family activities, appointments, meetings, and deadlines on the calendar.
This quick view of your month at a glance is an excellent tool for staying on track and reminding you of your scheduled commitments. Furthemore, filling out your calendar proves as beneficial as referencing it daily.
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6. Schedule Any Missing Appointments, Dates, Or Meetings
Review your calendar to see what’s missing. Now is an excellent time to schedule any other appointments you need to make.
Planning appointments in advance ensures you can get the best dates and times that suit you and your schedule. Most importantly, you won’t have to worry about scheduling the rest of the month.
At the same time, look for days when you can schedule downtime or time for exercise. Doing so will allow you to stay refreshed and recharged as the month progresses.
7. Plan Your Meals
Planning your meals at the beginning of the month is a great way to increase productivity and pursue a healthier lifestyle.
Doing so limits multiple trips to the grocery store or the temptation to stop at your favorite fast-food restaurant on the way home. Side benefits include saving money and a more nutritious diet.
8. Review Your Budget And Check In On Your Finances
Create a monthly budget and review it at the beginning of each month.
List what money you have coming in, how much you spend, and where. In other words, track your cash in and cash out.
Break your money spent into major categories, for example:
- Mortgage
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Car payments
- Gas
- Entertainment
- Travel
Your budget shouldn’t be complicated. While pencil and paper are acceptable, a spreadsheet or free online software is better.
Finally, after reviewing your budget, seek opportunities to repay your debt faster or add money to your rainy day fund.
You may like – 12 Good Money Habits to Improve Your Finances
9. Organize, Clean, And Declutter
Declutter one or more rooms in your house. Your home office or bedroom closet are excellent options. Be diligent. After several months, your entire home will be clutter-free.
Clean your house. By decluttering first, your cleaning tasks are more manageable.
Finally, nothing is worse than having your computer crash without adequate backup. So, at the start of each month, delete unnecessary computer files and back up the rest. You will be glad you did.
10. Create And Tackle Your Shopping List
Finally, list any essential non-perishable items you need for home or work. One properly planned shopping trip at the start of the month will save you time and increase your productivity.
How To Plan Your Month – Wrap-Up
To reduce stress and increase your success, productivity, and happiness, follow my ten steps to make every month your best ever:
- Reflect on your situation
- Play to your strengths
- Set intentions and goals
- Create a to-do list
- Make a monthly calendar
- Fill out your schedule
- Plan meals
- Check your finances
- Organize, clean, declutter
- Tackle your shopping list
Okay, that’s it. Thanks for reading! Before you go, please pin this image to Pinterest so you can return later!
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.