#52: Why I Plan My Business in 13-Week Cycles

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What if the key to building a more sustainable business isn't working harder—but changing the rhythm of how you work?

Many entrepreneurs plan for the year ahead with the best intentions, only to find themselves overwhelmed, reactive, and scrambling to hit goals by the end of the quarter. While The 12 Week Year has long been one of Stephanie's favorite business books, over the years she's made one important shift to the framework that has fundamentally changed how she plans, leads, and grows her business.

In this episode, Stephanie shares why she plans in 13-week cycles instead of 12, how this approach creates greater focus and accountability, and why intentionally building time to reflect, regroup, and recover isn't a luxury—it's a leadership practice.

If you've ever finished a quarter feeling exhausted or immediately launched into the next one without stopping to celebrate, learn, or reset, this episode will introduce a more sustainable way to lead your business.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

  • Why annual planning alone isn't enough to create consistent progress

  • The biggest lessons Stephanie has taken from The 12 Week Year

  • How shorter planning cycles help you stay focused and proactive

  • Simple CEO rhythms that reduce reactivity and create momentum

  • Why measuring your progress should inform your decisions—not define your worth

  • The difference between treating rest as a reward and designing it into your business

  • Why Stephanie believes the 13th week is one of the most important weeks of every quarter

Mentioned in This Episode

📚 The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran & Michael Lennington

💡 Looking for more support implementing 13-week planning and building the habits of a Sustainable CEO? Learn more about Stephanie's coaching and resources.