In this episode, Claire Laughlin shares her team's complete goal-setting system that keeps strategic priorities front and center all year long.
Learn how to transform vague annual objectives into actionable steps that create real momentum. We're officially into Q2, and if you're like most leaders, those ambitious January goals might be fading into the background as daily demands take over. This episode walks you through our exact process - from annual planning to weekly execution - that has transformed how the team approaches goals.
In this episode, we'll dive into:
The Annual Blueprint:
Hear about our December strategic planning retreat, where we reflect on the previous year before mapping out what's ahead. You'll learn why we create a visual timeline of the entire year, starting with our "big rocks" - the non-negotiable commitments already in place - before adding new strategic initiatives. Most teams do this backward, setting ambitious goals without first accounting for their actual capacity.
The Quarterly Breakdown
The Rhythm of Review
This is where most planning systems fall apart - creating beautiful plans in January that never get looked at again. Claire shares the team's exact cadence of quarterly reviews, monthly planning sessions, and weekly team meetings that keeps goals consistently visible and builds momentum throughout the year.
Making It Work For You
Even if you're working within a larger organization with mandated planning processes, the key principles can be adapted to your context. Remember: what gets scheduled gets done. Block time for these planning and review sessions on your calendar right now. When you establish clear goals and maintain consistent focus on them, you're not just doing planning work; you're demonstrating what truly matters as a leader.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Our annual goal setting process was inspired by “Your Best Year Yet” by Jinny Ditzler.
To learn more about my services and for additional tools to enrich your leadership journey, visit clairelaughlin.com and connect on social channels @ClaireLaughlinConsulting
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