“But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way..” — 1 Corinthians 14:40 (NASB)
At the start of this year, I prayerfully set out to accomplish three major goals—one personal, one professional, and one entrepreneurial. I strive to achieve key milestones in 90-day cycles, and this approach has helped me stay intentional, focused, and accountable as I pursue God’s purpose for my life.
Interestingly, each goal was planted in my heart at a different time:
- My business goal was birthed 12 years ago, but I didn’t hold myself truly accountable for it until last year.
- My personal goal was set four years ago, and I’ve been gradually nurturing it ever since.
- My career goal was set just last year and moved forward with consistent, Spirit-led intention.
By God’s grace, I accomplished the personal and career goals in the first quarter of the year (Q1) and reached a significant milestone on the business goal. And now, I’m taking a month to reset—to clear space, find rest, and re-align with the next assignment God has for me.
Why a Reset Month?
Because being purposeful takes time. Planning takes time. I need space to pray, reflect, and take intentional action. So I carve out chunks of quiet time to think, prepare, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
In my career, I’ve had the honor and privilege of supporting highly successful people—including Fortune 500 CEOs and elected officials—who juggle high-level priorities while managing their personal lives. These leaders set a high bar for themselves and for the teams that support them, and I’ve learned a great deal about the discipline it takes to manage multiple demands well.
I’ve applied many of those principles to my own life. But unlike them, I don’t have a full team behind me—I’m a team of one. That’s why hitting the reset button is critical. It allows me to step back, see where I’ve been, and prayerfully consider what’s next. Before I dive into a new season filled with demanding projects, I want to make sure my personal life is in order, my systems are solid, and my spirit is grounded.
Here’s what my reset looks like:
1. Prayer, Reflection & Vision
My reset begins with seeking God. I’m spending intentional time in prayer and Bible study, journaling, and reflecting on how I showed up in the last season—and how I want to show up in the next. I’m asking:
- What is God calling me to do next?
- What in my character needs to change?
- What behaviors do I need to release or adopt to live out the vision God has placed in my heart?
This time helps me cast vision with clarity and humility, trusting that God is ordering my steps.
2. Organizing My Living and Work Spaces
Order brings clarity. When our spaces are clear, our minds have room to breathe and our hearts can focus on the things that matter. Creating order around me helps me show up fully for the calling on my life—from the closet to the kitchen to the atmosphere I create in my living space.
3. Clearing Digital Clutter
Technology can be a blessing or a burden. I’m making it a blessing again by:
- Moving photos to cloud storage
- Unsubscribing from emails that no longer nourish me
- Deleting apps that aren’t useful
- Turning off distracting notifications
- Organizing my files to keep things simple and easy to find
4. Re-Visiting My Calendar
Our calendars are a reflection of our priorities. As I look toward the next 90 days, I’m asking:
- What commitments are not aligned with God’s vision for my life?
- Am I carving out time for relationships that matter?
- Am I honoring rest, Sabbath, and self-care?
This includes regular beauty maintenance, monthly massages, doctor’s appointments, and my Leader Learning Days—dedicated time to study industry trends and strengthen my skills.
5. Reviewing My Finances
Stewardship is sacred. This season, I’ve joined Financial Peace University at my church to deepen my understanding of biblical financial principles. I’m working to honor God and be a good steward of the resources He’s blessed me with.
Managing money wisely isn’t just about budgeting—it’s about aligning my finances with my faith and future.
6. Honoring My Caregiving Responsibilities
As my mother ages, it’s a blessing and a responsibility to care for her. I’m using this month to ensure her needs are met. Her peace of mind is part of my own.
Final Thoughts
Resetting isn’t about starting over—it’s about preparing for what’s next. It’s about honoring the work God has done and making room for what He is about to do.
Sisters, as you read this, I want to encourage you: Don’t rush into your next assignment without a reset. Take time to get still, get clear, and get organized. I’ve developed this helpful checklist to get you started. You’ll step into your next season stronger, more focused, and more aligned with the purpose God has for you.
Ellie Nieves is the Founder of the Christian Career Women Network, a faith-based initiative powered by Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC. The Network is dedicated to equipping women of faith to aspire, achieve, and thrive – both personally and professionally. Through Bible studies and career development courses, Christian Career Women helps women grow in their careers without compromising their values. Learn more at ChristianCareerWomen.com.
