Back to Business: How to Set Intentional Goals for the Last 90 Days of the Year

September always feels like a fresh page, doesn’t it?

Even if you’re long past the school run or new pencil case days, there’s something about this time of year that signals a shift. The air’s crisper, routines return, and suddenly there’s that “right then, let’s go” energy bubbling up.

But for female micro business owners, it can also come with pressure. After a slow (or chaotic) summer, you might feel behind, scattered, or like you should be planning an epic Q4 strategy to make up for lost time.

Let’s not.

Instead of diving into hustle mode, let’s look at how to set intentional, grounded goals for the final 90 days of the year - goals that actually support you, not just your business.

Step 1: Reflect on What’s Actually Happened

Before you start planning, take a minute to look back.

What’s gone well this year so far? What have you achieved, built, navigated, survived?

What felt light? What felt heavy?

This isn’t about judging yourself - it’s about gathering information. Knowing what’s really happened gives you clarity about what needs to happen next.

Try asking:

• What made me feel proud this year?

• What am I done tolerating?

• What parts of my business still feel aligned?

• What do I want to leave behind in Q3?

  
  

Write it all down. Pour a coffee. Be honest. This is for you.

Step 2: Reconnect With What You Actually Want

Forget what the gurus are doing. Forget what you “should” be chasing. What do you want from the next three months?

That might look like:

• A financial target that feels spacious and sustainable

• Rebuilding your routine after a summer of juggle

• Launching something small and joyful, not massive and stressful

• More consistent visibility, without tying yourself to daily posting

• Finishing what you started (hello, half-written blog posts)

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The goal here is clarity over chaos. Choose goals that feel rooted in your values and energy - not reactive to what others are doing.

Step 3: Choose 1–3 Key Focus Areas: Set Intentional Goals

Let’s not try to fix everything by Christmas.

Pick up to three clear goals to focus on from now until the end of the year. That’s it.

Examples might be:

• Book X number of clients

• Create and promote a new lead magnet

• Rework your packages or pricing

• Show up weekly on Instagram or email

• Outsource something that drains your energy

• Take a full week off in December (yes, really)

  
  

Less is more here. These aren’t just to-dos. They’re intentions that guide how you show up.

Step 4: Build Goals Around Capacity, Not Just Ambition

Ask yourself:

• How much time do I actually have?

• What other life stuff is happening in Q4? (Sick season, school events, festive chaos…)

• What support do I have - or need to get?

  
  

Intentional planning means working with your reality, not against it.

You can have big dreams and still plan gently. You can want growth and still prioritise rest. Both things can be true.

Step 5: Make it Tangible, Not Just Theoretical

Once you’ve chosen your focus, break each goal into small, manageable steps and plug them into your calendar or Asana board.

Give yourself deadlines. Celebrate mini milestones. And remember: done is better than perfect.

If you’ve got a VA, delegate what you can. If you’re solo, be kind to yourself and take it step by step.

You don’t need a total reinvention. You just need a plan that fits your energy and your season.

The last 90 days of the year are a brilliant time to finish strong - but that doesn’t mean fast, or frantic. It means focused, intentional, and honest.

You’ve got time. You’ve got skills. You don’t need a massive overhaul - you just need to move forward on purpose.

Want support to map out your Q4 goals in real time?

Join The What She Said Collective - you’ll get access to our incredible community of fellow FMBOs and learn strategies to help you plan the next 90 days your way.