Quarterly goal planning

{{whyLabel}}: To build a sustainable system, you must first identify which existing tools work and which cause friction.

{{howLabel}}:

• List every app, notebook, and calendar you currently use for tasks.
• Identify the 'graveyard': Where do your goals usually go to die? (e.g., hidden in a digital folder or a forgotten notebook).
• Note your peak energy hours to align high-impact goal work with high-focus times.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a list of 3 friction points in your current workflow and a confirmed list of tools you will keep.

{{whyLabel}}: Quarterly goals lack staying power if they aren't connected to a larger, meaningful purpose.

{{howLabel}}:

• Write one sentence for each of these 3 areas: Career/Wealth, Health/Vitality, and Personal Growth/Relationships.
• Ensure these are 'Lagging' visions (e.g., 'I am a published author' rather than 'I want to write').
• Use these to filter your quarterly goals: if a goal doesn't serve the North Star, delete it.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Three clear annual vision statements are written down.

{{whyLabel}}: Centralization is the enemy of procrastination; you need one 'Source of Truth' for your goals.

{{howLabel}}:

• Create a simple table in a tool like Notion, Excel, or a dedicated notebook.
• Columns needed: Objective, Key Result (Metric), Lead Measure (Action), and Weekly Status (1-12).
• Avoid complex automation; the goal is visibility, not technical complexity.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A single, accessible page exists that contains your goal tracking structure.

{{whyLabel}}: Over-planning leads to 'thin' progress; focusing on 3 goals ensures meaningful depth.

{{howLabel}}:

• Choose objectives that move the needle on your North Star.
• Use the '12 Week Year' philosophy: Treat the next 12 weeks as a full year to create healthy urgency.
• Ensure at least one goal is 'habit-based' (e.g., daily exercise) and one is 'project-based' (e.g., launch a website).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Three specific objectives are selected and written in your dashboard.

{{whyLabel}}: You need a clear way to know if you've actually succeeded at the end of the quarter.

{{howLabel}}:

• For each objective, set 2-3 quantitative metrics (e.g., 'Earn $5,000' or 'Run 10km in 50 mins').
• These are 'Lag Measures' because they happen after the work is done.
• Follow the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework popularized by John Doerr.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Every objective has at least two measurable 'Key Results' attached to it.

{{whyLabel}}: You cannot control results (Lag), you can only control actions (Lead). Tracking actions ensures steady progress.

{{howLabel}}:

• A Lead Measure must be predictive and influenceable (e.g., 'Make 10 sales calls daily' leads to 'Earn $5,000').
• Ask: 'What is the one activity that, if done consistently, makes the goal inevitable?'
• Ensure these are binary (Yes/No) so they are easy to track weekly.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Each Key Result has a corresponding weekly action (Lead Measure).

{{whyLabel}}: Breaking a 3-month goal into weekly milestones prevents the 'end-of-quarter scramble'.

{{howLabel}}:

• Divide your project-based goals into 12 logical steps.
• Week 1-4: Foundation/Setup. Week 5-8: Core Execution. Week 9-12: Refinement/Launch.
• Leave Week 13 as a 'Buffer/Review' week for overflow.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A week-by-week roadmap for all 12 weeks is documented.

{{whyLabel}}: Without a recurring review, the system will collapse under the weight of daily urgencies.

{{howLabel}}:

• Block 30-45 minutes every Sunday evening or Monday morning in your calendar.
• Use this time to score your Lead Measures from the previous week (e.g., 'Did I hit 80% of my targets?').
• Plan the specific tasks for the upcoming week based on your 12-week roadmap.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A recurring calendar invitation is set for the next 12 weeks.

{{whyLabel}}: Daily progress is the only way to achieve quarterly success.

{{howLabel}}:

• Every morning (or the night before), write down the 3 most important tasks for the day.
• At least one of these MUST be a Lead Measure for your quarterly goals.
• Complete these tasks before checking email or social media if possible.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a physical or digital spot to record your Daily Big 3.

{{whyLabel}}: Visualizing your execution percentage provides immediate feedback and motivation.

{{howLabel}}:

• Create a simple tracker where you mark 'Pass/Fail' for your Lead Measures each week.
• Aim for an execution score of 85% or higher.
• If you fall below 85%, don't change the goal—analyze the friction and adjust your schedule.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A scorecard with 12 empty slots for tracking is ready for use.

{{whyLabel}}: New systems often fail because they are too rigid. A 4-week check allows for 'pivoting' before it's too late.

{{howLabel}}:

• After 28 days, ask: 'Is this tracking too time-consuming?' and 'Are my Lead Measures actually moving the Key Results?'
• Adjust the tracking method if it feels like a chore.
• This is your 'Test Phase'—be ruthless in simplifying the workflow.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A 15-minute reflection is completed and the system is adjusted for the remaining 8 weeks.

{{whyLabel}}: Learning why you failed (or succeeded) is more valuable than the result itself for long-term progress.

{{howLabel}}:

• At the end of Week 12, use the 'Start, Stop, Continue' framework.
• Start: What new habit should I adopt? Stop: What wasted my time? Continue: What was my biggest win?
• Calculate your final 'Execution Score' for the entire quarter.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A one-page summary of lessons learned is written for the next quarter's planning.