We talk a lot about plans - annual plans, quarterly plans, team plans, project plans. But what’s your plan
We all know that Rhythm strategic management software is about focus, alignment, and accountability. While most of the consulting I do is with teams, I love it when I get the opportunity to work with someone one-on-one. They are usually struggling with one question: How do I gain personal focus while still supporting my team’s plan?
Here are some great ways to center yourself, prioritize your own personal 13-week race, and set yourself up to deliver predictable results.
What are the top 3-5 priorities that need your attention this quarter? A couple of them should directly support your team’s top 3-5 priorities. Some of them, however, might just be large projects you need to get done. For example, if you are the CFO, you probably support that big company priority around implementing the new ERP system. But, you still need to deliver on things like audits and compliance. Those day job items should be considered in the bigger picture. If your quarter is heavy on must-do day job items, you won’t have the bandwidth to take on bigger strategic priorities. Or, if the company’s strategy is an all-hands-on-deck situation, you might need to delay any day job priorities you can. Bottom line, your top 3-5 priorities should accurately reflect what’s most important for you to accomplish in your 13-Week Race.
Do you own any of your team’s Winning Moves or Annual Initiatives? If so, status them regularly. We recommend statusing Winning Moves once a year and Annual Initiatives once a quarter. Where does each of those items stand? Do you need to do anything in the upcoming quarter to support them? You might need a supporting priority or action to move those items forward.
During Annual Planning, you and your team might have created a Destination Postcard for the year. If you did, you’ll have a great blueprint to revisit the entire year. Where did you see yourself at the end of this year? What goals had you hit? What personal milestones had you achieved? Hold yourself accountable to those aspirations and make sure you’ve accounted for those in your personal plan.
Each of us should have a clear set of expectations set forth in our Job Scorecard. If you haven’t gone through this process with your manager or team yet, now is a great time to start! But, if you already have a Job Scorecard, revisit it quarterly. Reconnect with the original purpose of your role. Has it changed? Look at the metrics you are responsible for delivering in your role. Are you on track? What skills & competencies do you need to work on in order to improve yourself? Perhaps you need a priority this quarter to cover one of those gaps.
What’s going on for you personally in the next 90 days? Getting married? Starting a family? Taking a vacation? If so, your 13-Week Race might actually just be an 11-Week Race. Consider that when setting your due dates, deciding what you can take on from a bandwidth perspective, and asking for help. Be realistic in setting your Red-Yellow-Green success criteria. Think through your actions to achieve each of your priorities. Can it be done?
Gaining personal focus and really nailing down your own priorities during planning will make you a star! Your teammates will know that you are someone who is highly accountable and delivers predictable results consistently. You’ll be much happier and less stressed, too!
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