More hours in the day – it’s what all my clients want. But it isn’t going to happen. Most of us are working reactively. Checking emails constantly, scrolling social media and posting our latest update, sorting the quote we need to send to that prospect we met last, getting the next bit of work out the door for a client. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to take charge.
This simple approach to planning will help you get back to a position of control.
Introducing OKRs
OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results. It’s a way for individuals and teams to set measurable goals and track their outcomes. I use them in my business, and I use them with my clients to make progress working on not in their business.
Why do I need OKRs?
Define your goals OKRs can set you on a path to fix the problems in your business and grow.
Break things down into achievable steps OKRs help you know what to do first and break things down into steps that don’t overwhelm you.
Track your progress OKRs help to keep you on track and focused on the right things.
So, how does it work?
Step 1: Set your Objectives
An objective is a big audacious goal, it describes what is to be accomplished. It should be a short sentence that is tangible - that means we will be able to ‘see it’ somehow when it’s done. Your objective should be easy to understand, so if someone outside your business looked at it they should be able to get the gist of what you mean. It should be realistic, but it should also stretch and inspire you.
Step 2: Define Your Key Results
Each objective is accompanied by a set of Key Results. Key Results are clear, measurable milestones which if achieved will advance you towards goals. They need to describe outcomes not activities. So for example if they include words like think, help, consult, explore they are probability activities. They need to describe the end result of something that you have achieved.
Step 3: Track your progress
Although there are plenty of fancy tools for OKRs, you can write your OKRs in something as simple as a word document. Track your progress, ideally weekly against your OKRs. Spend time each week reflecting on your progress and reminding yourself of the next steps. Remember, your OKRs should never be set in stone, the world does not stand still, if something needs to change then tweak your plan.
Further reading…
If you want to learn more about the background and theory behind OKRs, and how to apply them, then 'Measure What Matters' by John Doerr is a business book that I would say is worth a read.
get some help with your planning...
If you want to work with someone who can help identify the gaps in your business, shape some big audacious goals and the key results that will get you there, then I’d love to have a coffee and a chat to get started. You can book below.