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Introduction
Welcome back to the weekly newsletter.
Big goals scare people because they look endless. I’ve watched friends stall for years, waiting for the “right time” to tackle them. The trick that finally gets us moving? Stopping to think in years and translating it into 90-day chunks. A tight, visible finish line keeps us energized and excuses become more difficult. This week I’ll show you how to run those 13-week sprints until the big dream is done.
Weekly highlight: Turn big goals into 13-week sprints.
The concept of sprints is borrowed from the agile method. Yet it fits perfectly if you want to build momentum behind a certain area or goal. Maybe the one you have been postponing for years?
1. Why 90 days?
A year feels far. A month feels rushed. Ninety days sit in the sweet spot. It’s long enough to build momentum, short enough to see the end from day one. Athletes train in cycles; businesses set quarterly targets. You can, too. The brain loves clear deadlines and hates wasting effort. A 90-day clock forces focus. It’s a perfect execution time frame.
2. Set one core goal.
Pick one main outcome for the sprint: learn that skill, drop ten kilograms, or write three chapters. More than one core goal can dilute your effort. Write it in ten words or fewer. Keep it front and center – desktop wallpaper, sticky note, or whatever else helps you.
3. Break it into milestones.
Divide the core goal into three 30-day milestones. Example for a book:
- Day 1-30 – Outline complete
- Day 31-60 – First 10K words
- Day 61-90 – Draft ready for editing
Each milestone proves you’re on track or shows you’re drifting.
4. Weekly commitments
Now zoom to seven-day chunks. What must be done this week to hit the first 30-day mark? Keep weekly lists short – three key tasks max. Make it easy to start, and long lists will dilute your drive. Use a simple “Must / Should / Could” grid. Must items get done first.
5. Daily top one
Every morning, ask, “What single act moves my 90-day goal forward?” Do that task before lunch. Momentum stacks best early in the day. Finish it, then tackle your normal duties.
6. Mid-sprint check (Day 45)
Halfway, pause for one hour. Review progress against milestones. If you’re behind, cut nice-to-have chores and double time on the core tasks. A mid-course correction saves the sprint.
7. Win log and visible scoreboard
Create a tracker with columns: To Do / Doing / Done. Move tasks daily. Visual wins pump dopamine, the brain’s built-in motivator. The empty “To Do” column shrinks; your confidence and sense of progress grow.
8. End-sprint review (Day 90)
Ask four quick questions:
- Did I hit the goal?
- What helped the most?
- Where did time leak?
- What will I tweak next cycle?
Celebrate the finish!
9. Reset & repeat
Rest one weekend, then set the next 90-day core goal. Improvement turns into a loop, not a one-off push. Three cycles equal a year of steady gains – far more progress than one massive January resolution that dies by March.
Bottom line: 90 days give urgency without panic. One clear aim, weekly focus, daily action, visual tracking, mid-course fixes, and a restart ritual. Run the cycle, rack up wins, and see how fast “someday” becomes “done.”
Application
- Choose your core goal: Write down one goal you want to achieve in 90 days.
- Draft milestones: Break it into three 30-day markers.
- Plan this week: List three must-do tasks that kick off milestone 1.
- Create a tracker: To Do / Doing / Done – move tasks daily.
- Schedule day 45 review: Add a calendar alert now.
Summary
Big dreams stall when the path feels endless. Slice them into 90-day action cycles. One goal, clear markers, weekly focus, daily wins. Review, reward, and reset. In four simple steps, you trade overwhelm for repeatable progress.
Until next time,
Maciej
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