Chapter 1: The Shift to Quarterly Goals

In today's fast-paced world, mastering the art of taking action is essential.

I've moved away from setting yearly goals, as they often fall short of my growth potential. For those dedicated to self-improvement, it's entirely feasible to accomplish more in just 12 weeks than most do in an entire year. A fresh perspective is necessary.

Here's how I adopt the 12-week year approach. The issue with thinking in terms of annual goals is evident: the feedback loop is excessively long, and the goals tend to be overly ambitious. By breaking down planning into three-month intervals, you create shorter feedback cycles and set clear, manageable objectives.

Every quarter provides the opportunity for feedback on whether you met your goals. Yearly planning often lacks direction and can lead to procrastination, wasting valuable time.

With quarterly goals, every week becomes crucial. Implement a weekly assessment to evaluate your execution of tactics designed to achieve your quarterly objectives. Abandon the mindset of annualized thinking and embrace a quarterly framework instead, which fosters greater accountability.

Does this resonate with you? You might set a New Year’s resolution, stick with it for a month, face challenges, feel disheartened, and then lapse into inactivity for six or seven months. As the year winds down, panic sets in as you scramble to fulfill your goals, but without acquiring new skills or insights along the way.

Quarterly goals function like mini-sprints. You establish clear, specific, and measurable targets, limiting yourself to three goals divided into actionable steps. A weekly review allows you to track essential metrics and indicators.

At the conclusion of each 12-week cycle, you’ll have a clear understanding of your progress. Your quarterly objectives impose a necessary level of accountability; without addressing reality, true achievement remains elusive.

Your life will advance in proportion to the accountability you embrace. The most crucial skill you can develop is the ability to take action, especially in times of uncertainty or fear.

The speed at which you execute distinguishes high achievers from the rest. The 12-week framework encourages daily action.

In this compressed timeline, consistent execution becomes imperative. Personally, I often take action with only about 60% certainty regarding the outcome. Fortunately, most choices can be altered.

Everyone is navigating their journey, so extend kindness to yourself; errors and setbacks are part of the process. Remember, action attracts opportunities, while procrastination pushes them away.

At the end of each 12-week sprint, I prioritize rest. I usually book a getaway, like an Airbnb, for a long weekend.

For the upcoming Q3 and Q4, I'm considering traveling abroad. During this time, I allow myself to indulge—watching Netflix, sleeping in, napping, and breaking from my routine. Dining out and enjoying movies are part of my reset strategy for the next 12 weeks.

By the end of my retreat, I find myself eager to resume my routine and embark on another 12-week cycle. I don’t require an extensive recovery period; I just completed this process for Q1 2024.

Here are some reflection prompts I use:

• What did I accomplish this quarter?
• What are my goals for the next quarter?
• What improvements can I make for the upcoming quarter?
• What new skills have I gained in the past 90 days?
• How does this quarter fit into my long-term vision?

I revert to traditional methods, utilizing Post-it notes and butcher paper, which help me concentrate better and think more deeply. Afterward, I transfer my ideas into Notion for the next quarter.

This system has room for improvement. I aim to connect with others who share my interest in planning in 12-week sprints, including solo entrepreneurs, coaches, creators, and founders.

For the next quarter, I plan to collaborate with a group.

If you're ready to accomplish more in 12 weeks than most do in a year, here's a roadmap for you:

1. Establish three specific, small, and measurable goals.
2. Outline 12 weeks of actionable steps.
3. Commit to daily action, even in uncomfortable moments.
4. Schedule a weekend getaway in week 13 for rest and reflection.

Prepare to witness a remarkable increase in your progress.

The first video titled "How to Achieve More in 1 Week than Most People Do in 12 Months" discusses strategies for maximizing productivity within a short timeframe, showcasing effective techniques for maintaining focus and motivation.

The second video, "How to Do More in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months," explores the benefits of a focused approach to goal-setting and execution, emphasizing the importance of consistent action and accountability.