Crack your planning and blast your goals in 6 simple steps

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at a networking event for consultants on the subject of planning and achieving your goals. It made me appreciate how closely linked these two things are.

“If you have a vision but no plan, then you have a pipe dream.” – Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington, The 12 Week Year

Six simple steps to plan and achieve your goals

1. Complete a Wheel of Life

When I start my planning, I always begin by completing a Wheel of Life. I start with two blank wheels and complete one for my business and one for my personal life. This gives me a quick visual overview of how balanced or out of balance things feel.

2. Start with the end in mind

To borrow a phrase from Stephen Covey, I start with the end in mind. What lights you up? What gets you excited?

My way of doing this is to write a letter to myself one year ahead. I visualise where I want to be in my business and personal life, writing in the past tense as if it has already happened. This helps me clarify my vision and keep it in mind.

After I’ve written the letter and read it through, I draw out one word or short mantra that sums up the letter.

For example, one year my word was abundance. My mantra was: “I am consistently growing my business, investing in my family and taking time to recharge.” This needs to hold your attention and be meaningful enough to get you through difficult times and keep you on track.

3. Break your vision down into milestones and actions

Keeping your letter to yourself in mind, look at your two Wheels of Life and annotate what you want each segment to look like by the end of the year. These are your milestones.

For example, in the health and wellness section, I might want to have completed two 10km runs. I would then break that milestone down into manageable actions. To reach the point of running a 10km race, my actions could be to start a couch-to-10km programme, run three times per week and put the races in my diary.

Take your vision and commit to working towards it consistently.

4. Plan in 12-week blocks

Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington recommend planning in 12-week blocks in their book, The 12 Week Year.

Start by writing down what is already in your diary, including routine commitments and days off. Then list all the actions you want to take over the next 12 weeks and break them down into weekly actions.

5. Commit to three top priorities each week

Planning can feel overwhelming, but one way to make it more manageable is to commit to three top priorities each week. Treat these as non-negotiable wherever possible.

You could also use an accountability partner or group to share your top three priorities. This may help you remain focused and follow through on your intentions.

“The only things you can control are your thinking and your actions. Spend your energy on the things you can control.” – Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington, The 12 Week Year

6. Use the Pomodoro Technique to stay on task

The Pomodoro Technique may help you structure your time and maintain your focus. It involves setting a timer for 25 minutes and using that time to work on one specific task.

When the timer goes off, stop what you are doing and take a five-minute break. After five minutes, set the timer again for 25 minutes and continue working on the same task or begin a different one. Try to minimise interruptions during each focused session.

After completing four sessions, take a longer break before continuing. You can also adjust the timings if a different pattern works better for you.

Bonus: Note down your successes

I find that recording my successes helps me see what I’ve achieved and gives me a chance to remember and celebrate the wins.

Work out how you are going to reward yourself when things go well, and be proud of what you have achieved.