Times have changed, but some people still cling to their worn but time proven paper calendars (desk size or other size). Modern technology has helped us by giving us more tools, but too many tools can be really time consuming and sometimes we get caught up in the tools and not the end result. My question to the experts here on Clarity is how each of you track goal achievement and stay on track in this new age of technology?
Michael T. Irvin
NoHogWashMarketing.com
"Get To The Top Without The Slop"
michaelirvin.net
Hi Michael, Yes: there is a way to do this. That is the brunt of what I train business owners and professionals to do: the key is in brain science. There are a couple of points and then the basic practices:
a. The brain can only handle about four items per day of high priority
b. These items need to be outcome oriented: i.e. a number or observable event : not action oriented which is what most people do (if you don't the brain does a pattern mismatch and triggers a worry response)
c. Create four max. long term objectives: e.g. for the year
d. Ensure that daily there is some correlation between the daily outcomes and the long term objectives
e. Create a mission statement, and ensure the same correlation
Works very well: and I gave you the gist: however, this requires some practice and daily coaching: about 10 to 15 minutes a day for four days a week for between 3 to 6 months.
We have experimented with apps, but found that email is hands down the way to get this done daily.
The daily emails track the correlation, training in picking the best daily outcome, provides accountability etc. Then we train people in how to schedule into their calendars (electronic preferred with alarms set - so you don't worry about pacing - your smart phone does) using 21 Safe and Sane management tips: these are done in a way to increase flexibility : i.e. more blank space on the calendar to handle innovation time and breakdowns that inevitably occur.
I am oversimplifying, but it works and we have the data and 22 years of working with thousands of clients to demonstrate
Kind regards,
Sunil Bhaskaran
Hi Michael,
Great Question! Predicting the end of 2014 starts with a plan. I have this sorted out on a simple spreadsheet, by client and activity for each quarter of the year. This also helps me stay on track as I check my monthly figures.
That being said, I completely recognize the amount of tools that are available through apps and technology and have spent time over the last 1/2 of 2013 exploring what works and what does not for me in my specific business. My focus lives in Basecamp - it's project tracking and communication cloud solution that gives me that place to ensure I stay on track and at the same time create and host plans for the future. At the same time, where I have partners in some goals, they can be a part of that specific track/project and submit their thoughts, work and ideas.
I use a few other tools that are cloud solutions so that I can see my business up close. I have discovered though, like you, that there is a gap in a personalize solution for my type of business - so now I am developing one.
I would be happy to chat this through further with you - see what you are using or testing so that if I have tested them myself I can let you know my thoughts. Also, pick your brain about the new solutions that could be developed.
All the best,
Lora
A ton. The quantified self is just starting to creep into the enterprise world. Traditional project management tools are morphing into data machines that turn out our goals and accomplishments.
I agree completely with your assertion about being caught up in the tool not the result. I think it is early days for some of these products. They are still evolving and becoming simpler. For whatever reason enterprise products have evolved a bit more slowly than consumer counterparts. Products like FitBit are unbelievable consumer tools to help track goals/achievements around health. We will be seeing more and more of these tools for enterprise.
To answer your question personally: Our team uses GitHub, Teambox, and RelateIQ to collect data about our goals and achievements. We then feed those data pipes into a homebrew solution built around individual projects. We use the OKR system for goal management, which we power with the data mentioned above.
