So in the prior step – we began to distill some goals out – based upon all of the prior steps in the framework. Step 5 is about getting very specific about next actions, milestones, and top line goals no more than a few months out.
In this step – we borrow heavily from concepts outlined in the 12 week year, and also from the Best Self Co’s Self Journal – intermixed with my daily and project-based task management weapon of choice – Omnifocus.
You will have a few goals for your priority DOLs from step 4, in this step – you will choose no more than 3 goals to knock out in this first quarter/13 week period. Be realistic in your goal selection, you may want to start with a singular goal for your first planning cycle/quarter to ensure that you are completely focused.
I personally have a tendency to run with 3 goals as stated in my framework, and this is a lot even for me as I have been working this framework for a few years now.
In the next quarter, you can tackle two stated goals, and then you can step into carrying 3 goals spanning your priority DOLs in a subsequent quarter.
So you have selected a singular goal from a priority DOL that you authored in Step 4 of the framework – presumably this goal has a concrete result statement outlining the desired outcome. As an example, I am carrying this ‘result goal’ for this quarter:
Launch Energy and Action by April 1, 2018.
The next step is to write down why this is important to achieve – this will be your ‘why fuel’ – and if you are using the Self Journal – this format is core to their goal setting framework.
The next step is outlining a few key progress goals that will be interim milestones that you must achieve in order to achieve your result goal. As an example, one of the progress goals tied to my result goal of launching by April 1 is:
Author and execute launch plan via startup.com
Now there are other tasks associated with this progress goal, and I’ll spare you the details – although things such as download the templates, and schedule time over 6 weekends towards this deliverable are things I’ve added as to do’s/tasks in my task management system for this quarter’s goals.
If you have the primary result goal, you will have at least 3 progress goals/milestones (more may be necessary, three is the minimum) with another level of detail outlining the underpinning actions to be taken to achieve those 3 progress goals.
You could very easily land with 20-30 distinct actions to be completed over the next 12-13 weeks in support of this one goal. That averages a little over one action or task a week.
If you are working your plan in support of your goals on a daily basis, these goals you select for your 13 week plan are readily achievable – provided you have the right level of discipline, detail of the actions/deliverables, and systems to guide your energy into the delivery of what you have stated as a desirable result.
Your daily priority needs to be poured into your stated goal above all other DOLs and other goals you may have. A level of focus on the planning you’ve done must be kept intact as you march over the 90 days towards your envisioned achievement. For your first quarter of ‘EAF Step 5’ action – i strongly recommend the Self Journal as it has a step by step guide on how to structure the goals that are very helpful and very much aligned to what I’ve outlined here as the fifth step.
The process of stating a result goal, establishing the underlying progress goals/milestones, and then the distinct actions underpinning your progress goals can be applied to a second or third goal when you are ready.
Whatever the tasks and progress milestones are – ensure that you are applying your due dates or ‘start by’ dates appropriately. Appropriately being a level and steady approach to deliverables being achieved over time, as trying to smash everything into the first month of the planning period is likely unrealistic. Spread the action out at a manageable pace given everything else you have going on, and then after another review a few days later – you can fine tune the timing and schedule to ensure completeness and to ensure that the timing is, in fact aggressive enough for your tastes.
So in 13 weeks’ time – you will have a set of progress milestones and at least one big deliverable knocked out for the OYM you authored in Step 4. More importantly you will have begun a core competency of goal authoring, progressive planning, and a disciplined approach to intentionally nailing your goals/deliverables that are aligned to your OYM based upon your priority Dimensions of Life.
Trust me, the more success you have hitting your priorities –
- the more satisfied you will feel with your lifestyle
- this feeling of success/attraction will enable you to take on ever more aggressive approaches with regards to your daily living as it will increasingly be aligned to your Vision, Blue Print for your Soul, and to your interim One Year Mission.
Alignment from your legacy to your daily priorities can be achieved once you have invested the time in determining your vision for yourself – this level of coherence is unique in this day and age.
The main motivation for this online project is to help you get to this level of coherence as quickly as possible in the hopes of you can unleash all of your energy and action at these priorities you have set for yourself.
Step 5 is to be repeated at least 3 times – for a total of 4 cycles per year.
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