Suppose it is the 31st day of the month. Upon reflection, you find that you haven’t achieved anything significant in the past month. In fact, you are uncertain about what you’ve done during this time. This is certainly not a pleasant realization to have.
Consider this: Did you begin the month with intention and focus? Did you formulate a plan or a “blueprint” for the month? Most likely, your answer is “no.”
As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
I’m being quite blunt with you here, but that’s the reality.
Sometimes, difficult life circumstances can derail even the best-laid plans. In that instance, you are granted a pass for the month.
Now that you’ve had a reality check, let’s think about this positively. A new month is approaching. Each new month is a fresh start! Every week or even every day can be a clean slate for you as well. You don’t have to wait for a whole new year.
Now’s your chance to step it up and make something of your month! Don’t miss this opportunity to create a month you are proud of and look back at it with joy and achievement.
- What will you prioritize this coming month?
- What can you do to set your month up for success?
Welcome to your Monthly Reset Guide, which contains 10 steps designed to help you begin your new month on the right foot.
10 Steps to a Productive and Achievable Monthly Reset
First of all, what exactly is a monthly reset?
A monthly reset is a list of tasks to consider and address before each new month begins, ensuring you are prepared to start the new month with intention and focus. It’s a way to reflect on what’s important to you in the coming month.
This includes everything from setting goals, to decluttering and organizing, to planning and completing administrative tasks.
Enter a new month with vision and clarity. Not merely going with the flow and hoping that you’ll have a productive and healthy month. Be someone who tackles challenges head-on. Be a person who consistently completes a monthly reset routine to set yourself up for success.
Here’s my Monthly Reset template all filled out for this month! Let’s go through each of the steps of the reset now.
Step #1: Write out your goals for the month.
Goals, intentions, or whatever you decide to call them, serve as a guide for what you want to focus on and achieve this month.
Review your yearly goals and identify specific monthly goals and habits you intend to prioritize this month. I have an entire blog post devoted to setting monthly goals, so check it out here: MONTHLY GOALS: HOW TO SET GOALS & ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THEM.
Keep it simple if you want. If you’re new to goals, just pick 1 or 2 to focus on for your first month. Identify these & write them down. Look at them often to ensure you are making progress!
My monthly goal #1: Make 4 new recipes this month.
My monthly goal #2: Have “Digital Detox” days (4 this month). This means that 1 day per week I will spend phone-free. No social media, YouTube, etc. I can answer phone calls and respond to text messages, but I will take a break from all other phone usage.
My monthly goal #3: Complete 3 strength training workouts a week.
Step #2: Consider a Word for the Month and a 30-Day Challenge.
You are likely familiar with the concept of selecting a Word of the Year, a word that will be the focal point for your entire year. Instead, consider breaking this down into months, depending on what you wish to concentrate on each month.
Balance. Peace. Focus. Joy. What do you want to strive for this month?
For this month, I’m choosing Peace. My desire is to feel God’s peace in my life, throughout the unknowns of my life. I’m striving for feelings of peace. Peace in my heart, my home, and my relationships.
Another fun practice to adopt each month is a 30-Day Challenge! This can be a healthy habit that you genuinely wish to implement into your life, that you’re going to commit to for 30 days.
Whether it be 30 days of walking, 30 days of reading, 30 days of waking up at 5 am or a No-Spend for 30 days, there are numerous challenges you could undertake for the month. It’s incorporating 1 habit to practice every single day for an entire 30 days.
For February 2025, my challenge is to wake up at 5 am every weekday (and 5:30 am on weekends).
Step #3: Complete a Digital Declutter.
This is pretty self-explanatory, but whatever digital devices you have, take the time to “declutter” them. Your phone, your computer, and your camera.
All 15,000 pictures you have (48 in a row of your toddler’s blurry face). Take time each month to delete those unnecessary pictures. What apps are you no longer using (or apps you’re using too much!) and need a break from? Free up space on your phone and make room for what matters!
It’s good to get in the habit of taking care of the excess in your digital world at least monthly. Spend time organizing your electronic space more efficiently as well, if time allows.
You can check this off on your Monthly Reset printable upon completion.
Step #4: Take care of scheduling & administrative tasks.
I am consolidating all administrative tasks into this single step.
Schedule any necessary appointments. Think dentist, doctor, therapist, haircuts, dog grooming, vet, plus anything else that applies to your life. Having kids and pets definitely leads to more appointments. If there are any you’ve been putting off, a new month is a great time to get it checked off your list.
Add any events to your calendar, whether they be school-related, church-related, extra curriculars, family get-togethers, appointments, and the list continues. If forms need to be filled out, get on top of that now. Have any papers or bills slipped through the cracks? Now is the perfect time to get caught up with those tasks.
You’ll feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders once completing this step! And you’ll be so much more organized for the month ahead. Looking for more motivation to be more organized this year, check out this recent blog post: 10 HABITS OF A HIGHLY ORGANIZED WOMAN.
Step #5: Plan social activities.
These are the fun things in life! I’ve realized that if I don’t plan these ahead of time, they are less likely to happen.
There’s no better time than with a fresh month upon you! Whether it be planning a few family activities, day trips, or playdates with friends, now’s the time to do it. Text a friend to set up a playdate next week. Buy tickets for the movie your family wants to see. Do some research on the festival happening a couple towns over. Get some enjoyable activities on the calendar for some good, quality family time. But don’t overdo it either!
Have you forgotten about yourself and your own social calendar? Or is it non-existent? Why not connect with a friend you haven’t seen in a while and plan a coffee date this month?
Life is all about balance! It’s great to be productive, but it’s equally important to be intentional in making memories with family and friends.
Step #6: Planning for the holidays.
My kids get such enjoyment out of the holidays and want to celebrate every little thing. I strive to make these holidays special for them every chance I get.
The Easter baskets, the Valentine’s goodies, the special holiday-themed treats, the red, white, and blue outfits—the list is endless.
Consider what items you need to purchase, such as home decor, treats, outfits, or craft materials. Explore Pinterest for ideas to celebrate each holiday or special occasion. Perhaps establish some traditions that your family looks forward to year after year but also incorporate new ideas as well.
This definitely requires thinking ahead, unless you want to be stuck with the leftovers at Target. The pickings will be slim if you wait until the week of, so get a head start this year.
Step #7: Plan what books you want to read this month.
I understand that this step won’t be for everyone, but if you wish to immerse yourself in reading this year, make this part of your monthly reset. Take a moment to plan ahead and list out some books you desire to read. This could involve selecting a few books from your shelf or browsing your library’s website for a couple books that pique your interest.
You’re more apt to read if you have a book ready to go when you have some spare time. I have added 3 fiction books and 2 nonfiction books to my monthly reset printable that I plan to tackle this month.
Check out my new blog post about how to read more this year: HOW TO READ MORE THIS YEAR: 15 TIPS TO REACH YOUR READING GOALS. There are some amazing ideas to get you started reading, even if you’re not entirely convinced you’ll enjoy reading.
Still have no interest in reading? Perhaps you could choose a new relaxing hobby to start this month instead. Make plans to incorporate this hobby into your monthly calendar.
Step #8: Check in on your finances.
What exactly this means for you will vary for different individuals. If you are on a tight budget, it is advisable to review your budget and make necessary adjustments for the following month.
Consider asking yourself some questions concerning your finances for the upcoming month:
- How can you improve your spending this month? Is there an area you overspent previously that you can cut back on this next month?
- What big purchases are coming up this month?
- How much do you want to save this month? And how do you plan on achieving that savings goal?
The Monthly Reset printable I use simply has a check box to fill in upon completing your financial check-in. If you desire to dive deeper with your finances, plenty of resources are available to you online.
Step #9: Organize and declutter a space in your home.
Just pick ONE space that is in dire need of a declutter.
If you keep up with your home on a daily and weekly basis, you won’t need to spend a whole day or weekend deep cleaning.
Instead, I recommend focusing on just one area in your home that you’ve been neglecting. If you focus on one area a month, that’s 12 spaces in a year! Definitely progress!
Let’s say you choose to focus on your entryway closet, dedicate however much time you can to the project and then move on. You have an hour? Work hard for an hour and then call it good.
My big decluttering project for this month is my daughters’ bedroom. The post-Christmas takeover of toys and other items has become overwhelming lately, so this is the top priority for me.
Step #10: Clean out your car and purse.
These are two areas I tend to neglect. Not intentionally, but nevertheless, they seem to get forgotten.
By taking the time each month to thoroughly clean your car, including wiping down the interior and vacuuming it, your car will feel refreshed for the new month.
Your purse, diaper bag, or other frequently used bags should also be restocked and cleaned out during your monthly reset. This doesn’t mean you should overlook this task for the rest of the month, but again, it’s a fresh start for the next month.
If you already stay on top of your car and purse, great! Maybe you could focus on your fridge or desk instead? Don’t forget to check each of these off on your Monthly reset guide!
Congratulations, you’ve completed all 10 steps!
Bonus Tip:
Have a monthly check-in with your spouse or partner (if applicable).
What is essential to discuss with your significant other? Probably your calendar and activities for the month, as well as finances and other family goals for the month.
You need to be on the same page with your partner in life. You will avoid much unnecessary miscommunication and stress if you communicate in advance. Be aligned with your goals and know what is on the calendar for the month to avoid becoming overbooked.
Your spouse can also be an accountability partner for you, as you complete your 30-Day Challenge and work towards your goals.
Reset and then Repeat Month After Month
It’s important to reset every month. I like to have my monthly reset complete before the 1st of the new month arrives. Allocate a couple of hours to sit down and fill out your Monthly Reset, then finish up the remaining checklist tasks and you’ll be good to go!
Feel free to add or remove any elements of this reset routine to make it work for YOU! Ensure that it suits your needs, your family, and your personality.
Don’t leave your new month up to chance! Take charge now and I guarantee you’ll be way more likely to have a successful month, focused on the things that are most important to you.
I have included the Monthly Reset Routine printable that I personally am using, which includes all 10 steps I explained in this blog post. Feel free to use it, month after month.
