Quarterly Planning For Q2’26: Becoming New PM Builder with AI

It’s another quarter packed with big changes! Before unfolding them, feel free to read my past entries here since April 2023. Here’s the quarterly planning template I use; you may adapt it however suits your season of life:

1. Review your top 3 aspirations for the past 3 months. Did you achieve them? If not, why?
2. What were the top 3 big wins of the past 3 months and why?
3. What were the 3 biggest challenges, and what did you learn from them?
4. What are the top 3 aspirations for the coming 3 months? And what’s the biggest risk they might not happen? And what are you going to do to mitigate that risk?

You don’t always have to list three things; you can change the number yourself as your life experiences differ.

To help achieve my goals, I used a 13-week year Google Sheets template (based on the 12-week year method) to set up my goals, track progress, and reflect. (I created the template, and you can purchase it here) So far, it has improved my focus and results drastically. Here’s my snapshot for this quarter.

Q4 2025 Reflections

1. Vipassana every day.(✅7/10)
   I’m more consistent about it this quarter, improved from 6 to 7. There was this one week when I stopped Vipassana, and I realised I got so temperamental and restless. After I resumed Vipassana, I immediately felt calmer and fell asleep peacefully. I’m so grateful to have come across this technique. You can read my Vipassana experience here.
2. Wrote 10 articles. (❌1/10)
   Work got super hectic, and the AI wave shifted my job scope as a product manager. I spent time picking up AI and coding skills, so I ended up sacrificing Wondefull progress. Anyway, I job hunted again and landed an offer, luckily. So in the next quarter, I will be heavily focused on levelling up my AI skills, developing and marketing my iOS app.
3. Create an undated planner. (❌0/10)
   Priority shifted as mentioned above.
4. Learn one thing every day. (✅7/10)
   Learning Japanese every day on Duolingo is getting boring, but I will stick with it as far as I can go. I also learned a lot about AI skills as a PM and app builder.
5. Workout 3x a week in the gym, with 1x cardio each week. (✅7/10)
   I practised a heavier load now to stimulate my muscle growth as recommended by Dr Stacy Sims in this video.
6. [Extra] Reduce my weight to 50kg.(❌0/10)
   Letting this go as muscle growth is my goal.

Top Wins in Last Quarter and Why

1. Mastering AI skills and started vibe coding an iOS app
   Everyone on LinkedIn has been saying that PMs should become builders. As a PM in a tech company, I experienced the impact of AI firsthand. To help myself stay competitive, I started learning vibe coding, Claude, and Codex to improve my PM workflows at work. It definitely 2x my productivity.
   
   Now I am creating an iOS app myself. NGL, it is not as easy as what people painted, “created an app in 2 days”. The integration, testing, and Apple Store approval took up a lot of time. Anyway, stay tuned for my app launching in April!
2. Never stop learning, as change is constant
   The AI evolution is changing how designers, developers, and PMs work. It is raising the bar for each role, and the small companies are already reducing headcount as expectations for productivity and quality of work increase.
   
   That’s why it is so important for us to keep learning knowledge and skills. Having the mindset to embrace change is crucial for personal and professional growth.
3. Stood up for myself at work.
   Something happened at the workplace which I felt was unfair. I was really proud that I stood my ground and handled it professionally
   
   I’m thankful for what I learned and gained, as it made me a more capable talent, but I also know it’s not a place that suits me long term. With more clarity and confidence now, I’m focused on excelling in my next role, one that aligns better with what I value.

Top Biggest Challenges & Lessons Learned

1. Gained clarity of what is worth fighting for.
   I worked in 2 different companies in the past 1.5 years. The experiences have taught me a lot about what I value, especially leadership and company culture.
   
   Along the way, I had many battles, both big and small. I learned that not every battle is worth fighting for. Some are, and many are not. This clarity helped me focus my energy on people and opportunities that truly matter.
2. Don’t let emotions control us.
   I cannot choose how my hormones and surroundings affect my mood, but I can control how I respond.
   
   Practices like Vipassana and regular workouts help me reset, regain clarity, and bounce back faster. Over time, I’ve learned that managing my state is just as important as managing my work and life.

My Aspirations for Q1 2026

1. Vipassana 5x per week.
   20 mins every session.
2. Passed my probation.
   Absolutely important to me that I will spend most of my time on it and act proactively at work.
3. Launched and earned my first $100 from an iOS app.
   Very excited for it, and I cannot wait to learn more throughout the journey. Apple Store, please be kind to me.
4. Workout 3x a week in the gym, with 1x cardio each week. 
   Same goal as the previous quarter.

My Favorite Tool for Quarterly Planning

Inspired by 12 Week Year book, I made a 12-week goal planner Google Sheets template to help with my own time management, reflection, and motivation—and it’s been a game changer! It even comes with a 13-week version for extra flexibility. If you’re into planning and staying organized, you can check it out here or on Etsy! 😊

💌 Your Turn: Quarterly Planning

If you’re craving clarity, give this quarterly planning method a try!

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