TLC #028: The Four Quarters Method - A Powerful Life Hack for Consistency

Anchor Verse

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

Ever felt like your day spiraled out of control after one small slip-up? Like that one bag of chips turned into an entire day of unhealthy choices, or that one episode on Netflix somehow became an all-night binge?

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. We all face moments where one little hiccup makes us feel like we’ve lost the whole day. But what if I told you there’s a simple method to keep you on track, no matter how many times you stumble? It’s called the Four Quarters Method, and once you start using it, you’ll find it easier to stay consistent and move closer to your goals every single day.

Point 1: Break Your Day into Quarters

Most of us tend to think of our day as one long stretch of time, but that mindset can be a trap. When something goes wrong, it’s easy to just write off the entire day. But what if you saw each day as four separate quarters, like in a basketball game?

Actionable Tip 1:

Start by dividing your day into four parts. If you’re awake for 16 hours, that’s four blocks of 4 hours each. For example:

- Morning (6am-10am): Start your day with a solid routine—maybe some prayer, a workout, or focused work time.

- Midday (10am-2pm): Keep your momentum going with healthy meals, a quick power nap, or some light exercise.

- Afternoon (2pm-6pm): Handle meetings, errands, or any necessary admin tasks.

- Evening (6pm-10pm): Wind down with family time, personal care, or reflection.

Each quarter is a fresh start, so even if the morning doesn’t go as planned, you can reset and refocus for the next quarter.

Point 2: Be Intentional with Each Quarter

It’s not just about breaking your day into parts—it’s about being purposeful with each one. You have to know what you want to accomplish during each quarter so that you’re not just drifting through your day.

Actionable Tip 2:

Plan out what you want to do in each quarter the night before. Make sure you have a mix of work, rest, and personal time. For example, use your morning quarter for deep work, your midday for recharging, your afternoon for tackling essential tasks, and your evening for relaxation. Whatever your plan, make sure it aligns with your goals.

Point 3: Reflect and Adjust Daily

At the end of the day, it’s important to look back and see how well you used your quarters. Did you achieve what you set out to do? Where did you stumble, and where did you succeed?

Actionable Tip 3:

Take 10 minutes each night to journal about your day. Ask yourself:

- How did each quarter go?

- Did I bounce back after a rough quarter?

- What can I do differently tomorrow?

Remember, even if you mess up one quarter, you can always come back strong in the next. A key mantra to remember is “Never miss twice.” If you slip, don’t let it turn into a downward spiral. Just get back on track in the next quarter.

Life isn’t perfect, and we all have days where things don’t go as planned. But with the Four Quarters Method, you have four chances every day to get it right. So the next time your day starts to go off the rails, don’t wait until tomorrow to get back on track. Remember, there’s always another quarter just around the corner. Let’s keep striving for that consistency because even though our lives won’t be perfect, they can be extraordinary.