New Years resolutions sound great in theory. But how many people do you know who have radically changed their life after a new year push? My 90 Days system and structured approach means that I’m working toward my ultimate outcomes all year, not just for new year. This system aims for long term success with the power of the things you do regularly being organised around your big picture vision.
Always think ahead: A 90 Day Approach
Instead of setting myself overly strict and ambitious new year goals, I’m always thinking ahead. I have a system that revolves around 90 day segments which all fit into a year. I am planning ahead for the next year in Q3 of the year before, and that’s not just in my businesses. Every area of my life from relationships to fitness and golf are managed with the same structured approach in 90 day cycles.
Objectives, Key Results and Tasks
Following OKRTs ( that is Objectives, Key Results and Tasks) and aligning the management teams in my companies has given me huge business gains, but I also follow this approach for my personal life, and would advise anyone who has a personal goal to look into this approach too. OKRTs are the backbone of my 90 Days system, and they work surprisingly well for non-business goals. So, “getting fit” is not just something I impose on myself in January, in fact as long as my vision includes being fitter and leaner, and I set my self Objectives accordingly with Key Results, then I will naturally be setting myself weekly tasks which will move me closer to achieving them each week. This is a powerful way to only focus on what matters, seeing all the thing you want to achieve in your life in one place, knowing where you are headed and getting really selective about the actions you take to get there.
Having a Vision
It all starts with a vision before setting any Objectives. After all, you have to see it in your mind to achieve it. I would advise anyone to create a new year vision board, or articulate their year’s vision even if they don’t adopt the OKRT framework.
The new software I am creating for my 90 Days system lets the user create vision boards for their companies and their personal life areas. The personal vision is private to each user, and one the group of companies and entrepreneurs I have shared the software with so far say they love. They see this as a way to really consolidate what they are doing. After all, if you don’t have life dreams and ambitions, why are you in business?
For me personally, vision boards do help. It’s not magic, it is not a case of visualising something then expecting it to fall into your lap, but it forms the basis of every action you take in future, as you know where you are going and for companies it is inspiring as everyone can see the shared vision.
Here’s an example vision board in 90 Days, below.
Tasks
I don’t believe in to do lists and I make sure my tasks are set around my Key Results. That way I can see that the things I’m doing in a certain week will all help push me toward achieving my Key Results instead of just a load of things to do. This approach helps me to reach my 90 Days Objectives, and ultimately, my vision. Don’t fall into the trap of being a busy fool!
So my advice is very simple: start with the vision not the goal. From here look into OKR methodology if you’re not already, and create your Objectives and Key Results. Then your tasks will follow each week but set them around your Key Results- not just what is urgent. Make sure you are not a slave to a to do list.
In 2022 I’ll be releasing more details on my 90 Days system which has helped me achieve 10 x profit in my companies and move projects forward dramatically even during the pandemic.
Happy New Year!
