Every fresh year or quarter comes with their very own set of ambitious goals. Deadlines set. Goals mapped. And yet you sit here, ignoring the half eaten Ben and Jerry’s, vday candy, or whatever your vice, beating yourself up for coming short of yet another goal. So off track. So much wasted time. Don’t even get started on money. And feeling like a horrible leader for your small but mighty team.
Look, you are not alone. I’ve been there, we all have. It’s demoralizing to feel the quarter sneaking up on you knowing full well you are going fall short of the ‘plan’. I totally understand how it feels to see those unmet goals sitting there and left wondering why you let the momentum slow down to a complete complete stop. Even with the best of intentions and elbow grease. HOW and WHY did this happen?
One of my key analysis points when working with clients is to see how their benchmarks or milestones shape up to meeting their goals. The most common reason why isn’t that the goal was too big or off or dumb, but rather the steps to get there were not properly broken down into single, level actionable items and prioritized.
This is a foundational principle into everything I teach and implement. We can’t have ‘launch a fill the in blank item’ without making sure every step into the progress is broken down, delegated, prioritized and (as much as possible) unlinked from depending on the progress of something else.
But listen carefully, this so different than a 75 point checklist. This is a real plan that is both adaptable and firm, because priorities are broken down creating a consistency and collaboration that isn’t found on any bulleted checklist.
Revamp in 3 super easy steps
STEP 1: Get everything down to an actionable, single level task
The to do’s are the problem! Many times (even with detailed operating procedures) we still attack recurring or special projects using a broad, generalized “to do list” vs. a set of detailed, prioritized actions. When we operate from a detailed, single level task your team knows exactly what to do and when. You are setting your operations up with a clear, transparent plan.
STEP 2: Unlink to do’s from depending on each other
Once you have your tasks broken down into single, actionable items you need a system that clearly defines each task along with independent subtasks. This allows your team members to work ahead, with each other, and be in front of deadlines.
STEP 3: Set your priorities and focus
Unlinking and getting those to do’s to task level is just 2/3 of mapping your next steps. The most important element to making your next steps count is to set out your priorities.
Much like shoving 30 days into 90, not having these key and crucial components prioritized into single level tasks are keeping you from consistent momentum towards your goals.
Once you eliminate the ripple effect, you will see real progress towards your goals. You’ll also be able to see where things are coming together quicker, what needs more refinement or a second hand, and what part of the process needs a little more work.
If you have your ‘launch fill in the blank’ simple sitting there, not broken down or prioritized, and working on tasks in general terms you won’t be able to see how much is left to reach the goal or move the project to DONE!
If you find yourself in this scenario, then you need to refine and tweak your tasks and prioritization. By taking one week to analyze the work done, the gaps that still exist, and the remaining items necessary you can get those goals back on track and get out of the stalled space.
Now if that has your wheels turning, you need to spend a little bit of time getting this just right. No better place to start than with Your Progress Gameplan. It’s an easy method to get your next 90 days broken down into a real gameplan!
If you’ve ever tried to set truly intentional, stretching, yet achievable goals for your business and not managed to reach the finish line exactly as you hoped, you are not alone. The truth is that a lot of people want to hit all the beautiful milestones they set out during all the yearly planning and annual goal setting review sessions, but not a lot of people actually do it.