“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
— Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs’ quote aptly portrays life’s conundrum: Hindsight is 20/20. So what do we do? Well, we assess as we go, and we have faith we will get the job done — whatever that job may be, and whether that job is work-related or personal. The second quarter allows us to pause for a second and do just that. Perhaps, we spent 2025's first three months goofing off, disregarding our goals, or simply falling short when it came to where we wanted to be when March ended. Q2 allows us to reset with the three Rs: Reboot, Revise and Renew. And that is all that matters if we want to succeed.
I first wrote about this in an email to my email list, Ruth’s Growth Circle, and even as I shared these words, I noted that I was planning to elaborate on this topic in an upcoming blog. There is so much to say on the matter, and I never want to end without providing solutions on the topic athand.
Meanwhile, I asked my subscribers: What do you want to accomplish during Q2? And while I noted that there was no pressure in answering the question, their answer will determine the rest of their year. And like everyone else, we all want that homerun, that touchdown, when 2025 draws to an end. Don’t we? Yes, yes we do. In other words, Q2 is the setup, and determines how big or small our Q4 harvest will be. For some entrepreneurs, Q4 is Christmas — more aptly, Santa Claus — when it comes to sales, and accounts for a large part of their budget. It is also the holiday quarter for celebrating and giving thanks, especially for family and friends. Whatever it means for you, you want it to be successful, and Q2 allows you to plant those seeds now.
I decided to look for a book on Amazon that I could recommend for rebooting and up popped The Reboot with Joe Juice Diet: Lose Weight, Get Healthy and Feel Amazing, which I purchased more than a decade ago. Remember Joe Cross? As the years pass, no matter what age we are, we may need Joe more than ever. I will not try to reinvent the wheel, so will quote from the book's description: “Since his documentary, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, was released in 2010 and became a worldwide sensation, Joe Cross has become a tireless advocate for the power of juicing…” Joe lost more than 100 lbs., and not only changed his life, but the lives of hundreds of others whom he inspired.
In recent years after experiencing serious health issues, I’ve incorporated juicing into my life, along with avocados and large salads, eliminated meat and sweets, and have taken off too many pounds to mention without being somewhat embarrassed, and that is why I believe in getting healthy. I do not expect you to do like Joe, or even me, but I do hope you will take care of yourself more. I speak from experience, and I know firsthand that it is often hard to put ourselves first when life’s many commitments pull us in different directions, and we neglect to provide that vital self-care we all need. Use my coupon code SELFCARE2025 for my 50-Page Self-Care Planner, which will guide you to doing just that: You, first. Vow to do that. It is an action step that you will not regret. Also, I have a coupon FITNESS2025 that will give you the same discount on my 54-Page Fitness Planner.
Of course, there are many recommendations, including books and products, when it comes to rebooting, revising and renewing your goals in your business, career and personal life. But it is important that we begin with health. After all, and as we’ve heard many times before: If we don't have our health, what else is there? Our health is our foundation. What is that ironic phrase about how we spend our health trying to get wealth, and once obtained, we spend our wealth trying to buy back our health? And as we know, the latter does not always work.
Steve Jobs also said: “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
We must have the courage to listen to our heart, to accept our intuition. They are embedded in us for a reason. We all know that little voice deep within that tells us when we’re right and when we’re wrong when to proceed and when to stop! We may choose to ignore it, or disregard it. These two words hold different meanings: ignore and disregard, at least to me. I believe ignore is when you act like it is not there. But disregard has an added layer, meaning you are consciously aware that you are ignoring the situation, and once again, you know better — you know it is wrong to do so. What do you think?
Often, we regret missed opportunities. Right now, we have no reason to regret missed Q1 opportunities because we have Q2 ready to embrace us with another chance, and while its days are ticking away, we still have the remaining days of this month, May and June to get our seeds planted for our big Q4 win! But — your win does not have to be a HUGE one! It only has to be satisfying. It is like running a marathon: You do not have to be the top winner, or in the top 10%, but you want to walk away with the satisfaction of knowing you completed, or even entered once the race is over. Surely, you do not want to sit at home miserable that you chickened out at the last minute, or you overslept, or any myriads of things you say to soothe and lessen your guilt.
Perhaps, you have been wondering: Well, how do I reboot? How do I revise? And pray tell, how do I renew? So glad you asked. I asked myself that, too, and then decided my answers may not be as concise as ChatGPT, so opted for the latter and following are its recommendations:
- Assess Current State: Take a moment to reflect on where you are right now. What’s working? What’s not? This will help you identify areas for change.
- Set New Goals: Revisit your goals and set fresh ones. Focus on what you want to achieve in the upcoming quarter or year.
- Declutter Your Mind: Clear your mental space by eliminating distractions, negative thoughts, or anything that’s no longer serving you. Try journaling or meditation.
- Create a New Routine: Develop a routine that aligns with your new goals and intentions. This could be a daily, weekly, or monthly habit that keeps you on track.
- Review Your Priorities: Realign your priorities with your new vision. Consider what’s most important and make room for it in your life.
- Eliminate Toxic Habits: Identify habits that hold you back and work on replacing them with more positive, productive habits.
- Surround Yourself with Support: Build or reinforce a support system—people who motivate and inspire you, mentors, or even online communities to help you stay accountable.
- Evaluate Past Performance: Look at what you’ve done so far—both the wins and the losses. What worked well? What didn’t? Learn from it.
- Tweak Your Strategy: Based on what you’ve learned, adjust your approach. This could mean changing your marketing strategy, the way you manage your time, or how you handle challenges.
- Update Your Tools: Review your tools or resources (software, systems, processes). Are they still serving your needs? If not, update them to more effective options.
- Revamp Your Brand: If you’ve grown, your brand should reflect that. Update your messaging, website, logo, or content to better align with your current vision.
- Reassess Your Relationships: Evaluate your professional and personal relationships. Revise the way you collaborate, communicate, or engage with key contacts to improve outcomes.
- Simplify and Focus: Cut out the things that aren’t moving you forward and focus on the most important tasks. Less can be more.
- Implement Feedback: Ask for feedback from clients, peers, or mentors, and use that information to revise and improve what you’re doing.
RENEW (Rejuvenating and Refreshing)
- Recharge Your Energy: Take time to rest and recharge. This could be through a vacation, time off, or simply engaging in activities that nourish you.
- Refresh Your Environment: Change up your workspace or surroundings. A clean, organized, and inspiring environment can stimulate creativity and productivity.
- Recommit to Your Vision: Reconnect with your larger purpose or mission. Remind yourself of why you started this journey in the first place, and let it fuel your motivation.
- Focus on Personal Growth: Invest in your personal development by reading books, taking courses, or learning new skills that will help you grow.
- Practice Gratitude: Make gratitude a daily practice. It can refresh your outlook and bring positive energy into your day.
- Nurture Your Body: Take care of your physical health by eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest. A healthy body fuels a healthy mind.
- Celebrate Wins: Celebrate both big and small successes. This helps you recognize your progress, renew your enthusiasm, and stay motivated.
Here’s to planting our seeds in Q2 and harvesting our wins in Q4!
~ ~ ~
I’m Ruth Anita Foote, an award-winning journalist, historian, author, and online entrepreneur — passionate about helping you enhance your business, career, and lifestyle. Whether you need writing, editing, research, or online business development, I’m here to support your growth. My goal is to empower you to elevate your success and make a lasting impact in your field. You can connect to all my social media platforms through Linktr.ee.
