Why quarterly reflections matter

Last week, I carved out an entire day for my quarterly ritual: zooming out to really look at my business.

I updated my financial picture in my income and expense tracker and Olomon. Met with my financial planner. Met with my coach. Then I made a top priorities list for the remainder of the year across every part of my business — coaching, consulting, sponsorships and media, product, and the job board.

I reflected on whether I was delegating the right things and what other support I might need. And I thought long and hard about my goals — short-term and long-term. Which long-term goals would get pushed out if I made certain decisions now? Which areas of my business should take priority based on where I want to be this time next year?

And wow. It was invigorating.

I hadn't done a deep-dive like that since August (my H1 reflection), and it felt so good.

Here's why it's important to take that time:

When we're deep in the weeds of our business, we lose sight of the big picture. It's harder to gut check if we're focusing on the right things or veering off course. Actually carving out the time for reflection helps us move toward sustainability and long-term success.

Your business isn't just today. It's three months from now. It's a year from now. And hopefully, it's five years from now too.

If you need help zooming out, I'm here. I help founders, freelancers, and creators find clarity and build thriving businesses every day. Sometimes you need a second set of eyes to spot the low-hanging fruit and forge a clearer path forward.

As I reflected on my own business last week — scouring my expenses and income — I was reminded that self-employed sustainability hinges on our own wellbeing.

When we’re taking good care of ourselves, we can show up more wholly for our businesses. And our businesses can take care of us in turn. But for most entrepreneurs, affordable, quality health insurance is hard to come by. That’s why we’ve teamed up with a partner to host a webinar that’s all about finding the right plan for you. 

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Harlow is your home for all things freelance. We’re here to help you build sustainable freelance careers, so you can thrive in and out of work. Whether you’re just getting your business off the ground or you’re far along in your journey, we have tools to help you stay inspired and resourced.

Here’s how to get started:

Sign up for our growth accelerator where we’ll help tackle your biggest freelance challenges head-on in a one-on-one strategy session.

Bookmark our freelance job board. It’s updated daily and has tons of open gigs.

Try our all-in-one tool that helps you manage your freelance business (invoicing, proposals, project management & more).

Check out our resource center. It's chockfull of actionable advice to help you build a sustainable business.

Cheers - 

Samantha & Andrea