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The 12 Week Year -Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington - Coggle Diagram

- - - - It takes too long to adapt.
      - In January, December is a long way away.
    - - Big surges happen in the latest parts of the year
      - Managers spend more time coaching
      - Sales goals get hit
      - What if we shorten our deadlines and use Parkinson's Law to our advantage?
    - - Think athletic training - better to focus on strength for a time, then endurance, then speed...rather than trying (and failing) to improve everything at once.
      - the 12-Week Year allows periodization of goals, skills, and mindsets
      - Faster cycles
        
        Good cycle? Great, keep it going
        
        Bad cycle? Ok, cool. Take a break, shake it off, regroup.
    - - This is HUGE (I need to remember this, personally. I like that the Panda Planner has rewards built into goal-setting and reminders to celebrate wins during Weekly Reviews to help remind me)
  - - - Compelling - it must motivate us, resonate with us
      - Personal first - we work for personal reasons, so our work needs to align with us, personally, first.
      - The amygdala vs. the Pre-Frontal Cortex
        
        Our brain doesn't like uncertainty, and the future is ever-changing. However, our PFC (pre-frontal cortex) becomes more engaged when we have a compelling, clear vision for our future and can connect our actions to it.
      - We must create things twice - first the mental creation, then the physical manifestation
  - - - First, overall goals
      - Then, milestones
      - break milestones into the smallest pieces possible
      - determine actions and habits that will bring them to fruition
  - - - This can get tricky - sometimes a bit of research here can give some fantastic insights from others.
      - Don't abandon the measure just because you're unhappy with the results
    - - the plan was poorly executed - we had a plan and did not follow though
      - the plan is bad - but we can only know this if we have executed on the plan, and we can only know that if we have a way to measure
  - - - Strategic Blocks
        
        three hour block, NO DISTRACTONS ALLOWED
      - Buffer Blocks
        
        Planned time to deal with the inevitable interruptions and misc. tasks that come up throughout the day.
        
        Sometimes this is one block
        
        I prefer to have a few of these spread throughout the day - I never know when interruptions happen, and I have things I can do during this time if I have nothing come up (like studies, Anki reviews, reading, messaging, priority emails).
      - Breakout Blocks
        
        3 hour block during business hours to get away and reinvigorate
    - - If you can't fit it on paper, it won't work in real life
  - - - Strong Desire - not a passing feeling, a strong desire that goes to a deep, emotional, and personal level
      - Identify keystone actions/milestones
      - Identify the costs -realistically (Fear Setting can help)
      - Act on commitments, not feelings
  - - - Michael Phelps didn't achieve greatness when he got gold medal number 18, he did it when he did the work to get there. The medal is just evidence.
  - - - Many people just keep going towards the very thing that unbalances them, which just makes it worse
- - - - Accountability - how am I doing, and how do I do more
      - Commitment - am I making and keeping my promises
      - Greatness in the Moment - greatness is built NOW, not when you attain the thing you're working towards. Focus on the present, and attainment follows.
    - - Measurement
      - Process Control
      - Planning
      - Time Management
      - Vision
    - - Uninformed Optimism - we only see the upsides and haven't experienced obstacles yet
      - Informed Pessimism - we start to see the task in front of us as daunting as we realize how much we don't really know
      - The Valley of Despair - we feel as though we may never accomplish our goal. This is where many people give up, and is the most important point to push through
        
        This is where our vision can get us through, and why it needs to be clear and strong.
      - Informed Optimism - we've pushed through the hardest part and can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel
      - Success and Fulfillment - we have attained the thing we mean to attain
  - - - Impossible
        
        ask "What if?". What if I could do this? What if it were possible?
      - Possible
        
        How might I accomplish this goal or aspiration?
      - Probable
      - Given
    - - Start with Long-Term - what, ideally, do you want your life to look like?
      - Then, move to the Three Year vision - this should be detailed and specific as possible, and reviewed often (daily)
    - - Questions that Uncover Degree of Ownership
        
        Why are the elements of your vision important to you?
        
        What will you be able to do if you reach your vision that you cannot do now?
        
        What will be different for you, your family, your friends, your peers, your clients, your community, if you reach that goal?
        
        Are you willing to commit to the actions needed to reach your vision?
        
        Who have you shared your vision with?
        
        How often have you looked at your vision since you wrote it?
        
        What actions do you have to take to make progress on your vision and reach your 12 Week Goal?
        
        What risks or barriers exist that may bet in the way of you reaching your vision and goals?
        
        How can I best support and help you achieve your goals and vision?
    - - Pitfalls
        
        You don't take the vision seriously and dive straight into action.
        
        The vision isn't meaningful.
        
        The vision is too small.
        
        You don't connect your vision to your daily actions.
      - Success Tips
        
        Share your vision with others.
        
        Stay in touch with your vision - daily, revise as needed
        
        Live with Intention - reflect at the end of the day.
        
        How did I do?
        
        How do I do better?
        
        What actions do I need to take tomorrow?
  - - - Planning keeps us focused over the long term. "Quadrant 2" (Eisenhower Matrix) tasks vs. constantly in Quad1 reactionary mode.
      - It keeps us aligned with our vision - not enough to be efficient if you're going the wrong way
      - Goal Criteria
        
        SMART Goals
        
        Positively stated - 98% success vs. 2% error
        
        Accountability and Measures
      - Goals -> Milestones -> daily tactics/actions -> try to preempt obstacles. Greatness in the Moment.
      - Pitfalls
        
        Goals aren't aligned with your vision
        
        Goals do not have significant meaning
        
        Getting distracted - Quad1 Mode
        
        Too many priorities
        
        Too Complicated
      - Forces us to focus on a few important goals vs. many "someday/maybe" goals. Forces prioritization.
      - The Panda Planner I have is PERFECT for the 12-Week Year setup - I'm pretty certain it is based directly from it with additional steps f/ other "philosophies" (affirmations, pre-determined exercise/meditation routines, etc.
      - Gives you a roadmap of steps in the correct order. Turn-by-turn, not "Drive in the general direction of your destination and hope for the best"
      - Team Application
        
        Team members read the book and establish their visions -> get coaching from managers/mentors to help solidify this and determine ownership levels (see Ownership Questions)
        
        Rest of process goes as described with input from participants
  - - - Score previous week (based on Weekly Scorecard in Ch. 16)
      - Plan your next week - include milestones due this week from your 12-Week plan
      - Have a WAM (Weekly Accountability Meeting) with 1-3 others
        
        Ind. Reports for
        
        Results for 12 Week Year to date
        
        Weekly Score
        
        Intentions for coming week
        
        Suggestions / feedback
        
        Successful Techniques - what is working well? What have you found that has been awesome (look for 80/20 things here!)
        
        Encouragement
      - Team Application
        
        Model the behavior - be the example
        
        Teach the 12-Week Year approach
        
        Monthly (at least) meetings with direct reports to look at scores/metrics/goals (see the WAM agenda - something similar)
      - Pitfalls
        
        Don't do weekly plan
        
        no time
        
        don't need it
        
        above it
        
        already know the plan
        
        don't want to be measured / accountable
        
        You include ALL your tasks - don't, this is for high-level, goal-related tasks only. Your Quadrant 2 items. Manage other tasks elsewhere.
        
        You assume each week is the same - sometimes they are, or very similar, but do the weekly review anyway. Use it to touch base, reconnect with goals, and focus.
        
        Adding tactics weekly - overburdens the system, only add or remove tactics after careful consideration (preferably, don't add any unless you must)
        
        Not used to guide day - make the plan, stick to it at all costs. Protect it viciously.
        
        It isn't part of the routine (so it is forgotten or undone)
  - - - The goal itself is a lag indicator - lag indicators happen at the end. They are results
      - Lead indicators are processes or actions that happen earlier in the process - ex. Weight Loss - workout 3x/week, eat <1200 cal/day, drink 1 gal of water/day, etc. They are the actions that drive us towards our goals.
    - - Abandon system when unhappy with scores
        
        Review scores with team, get encouragement and support
        
        Commit to weekly progress - incremental changes towards 85% execution
        
        less than 85% isn't "bad" if it is better than you did the week previously - it is the lag indicator, the actions/habit building that brings up your score are the lead indicators (and, as we know, we should focus there)
        
        Don't fear the measurements. Don't be afraid to confront the measurements.
  - - - Strategic blocks - 3 hours, early in the week. Work ON the biz, not IN it. One/week is usually good.
        
        5-10 m - reconnect with vision, progress, advancement
        
        10-15m - 12-Week Review - review metrics, Weekly Scores, lead/lag indicators. Are you executing well? How can you improve?
        
        10-20 m - Assess performance breakdowns - what is root cause, how to stop decisively,
        
        Work on plan tactics - 2-2.5 hours - complete tactics from 12-week plan.
        
        Alternatively...
        
        Read a related book, take a course, or perform deliberate practice
        
        Plan for next 12-Week block (done late in current block)
      - Buffer blocks - low-level activities, interruptions, messages, phone calls, priority emails, etc. Typically 30-60m, 1-2/day. These are different for everyone, so experiment. "Administrivia"
        
        Email, messages, calls, voicemails
        
        Misc. to-dos
        
        quick meetings
        
        documentation, organization, filing
        
        process inbox(es)
        
        Office Hours
      - Breakout Blocks - 3 hours, once a week, but only AFTER execution is going well (based on Weekly Scores). Maybe one/month until execution scores are consistently high. Get away, do something to recharge.
      - Block time for other important tasks, activities, actions, and Q2 tasks as part of Weekly Plan. Make appointments with yourself to do important things.
    - - You don't follow the system
      - Multitasking (only the "good kind" of multitasking is allowed - one action that accomplishes multiple goals/aspirations)
      - Allowing distractions and lack of focus
      - Equating busy with productive - busy /= productive, often far from it.
      - Tips
        
        Work from a written plan
        
        Program ideal week into calendar
  - - - Never be the victim. Notice settling and excuses. Take ownership of every part of your life.
      - Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Self pity is a downward spiral.
      - Be willing to take different actions. Do not get bogged down by ego or attachment. "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten"
      - Associate with accountable, responsible people. You are the sum of who you spend the most time around.
    - - Create a culture of positive accountability - where it is baked into the process. Don't use consequences, or accountability becomes uncomfortable and stifling.
      - Become aware of victim conversations - recognize reality
      - Model accountability
      - Clarify expectations - can't be accountable if they don't know the expected outcome
      - Learn from Life - learn from failures and setbacks. How can they make you better?
      - Focus on the future - how can I improve from here?
    - - Pitfalls
        
        Viewing accountability as consequences
        
        You look outside yourself for accountability, action, or change
      - Tips
        
        Acknowledge reality
        
        Focus on your own locus of control
  - - - Failure is a choice to stop. "I don't want to continue"
      - Fallure is giving everything, regardless of the outcome. You knew the outcome was unlikely, but you did everything in your power to attain it anyway.
    - - This reminds me of BJ Fogg's "Behavior Swarm" model, where you use a grid to determine the motivation vs. impact for possible habits and pick those with the most motivation AND the most impact
    - - Pitfalls
        
        You succumb to the "What the Hell?!" effect and fall apart as soon as you miss one
        
        You don't value your own word enough for it to create binding commitments
        
        You fail to confront your missed bevaviors
      - Tips
        
        Use accountability parnters
        
        Make goals public
        
        Don't overcommit (in fact, I'm learning to err towards under-committing, as the to-do list never seems to mysteriously get shorter, only longer
    - - Sometimes they are false or disempowering beliefs or identities. Be aware of these - they can sabotage your efforts. "The Thinker thinks and the Prover proves."
        
        I'm not someone who can X
        
        I'm afraid to ask for what I want because I don't want to be needy or unliked
        
        I haven't really earned / don't deserve X
        
        I don't actually want to give up X
        
        I'm more comfortable and secure where I am to want to change
        
        I don't have time
        
        I don't want to get uncomfortable
  - - - Visualizations may also be a really big step here, too. Visualize the success. Live "in the delusion" that your dreams are already done, you just need time to catch up.
    - - First four weeks - have a solid plan created. Suggested first two goals: set one goal to hit, learn to use 12-Week Year to it's fullest potential. ENGAGE
      - Second Four Weeks - novelty is wearing off. Look at the gain (vs. the gap), check your weekly execution stores, and look to fix anything that isn't' working (be honest). If you're learning a skill, now is the time for some serious deliberate practice
      - Third Four Weeks (and Week 13) - Finish strong. Hit your goals, wrap up loose ends.
      - Week 13 is for
        
        an extra push to get finished - "buffer time"
        
        celebration (take a week off!)
        
        Reflection and setup for the next 12 Weeks - pay attention to the Meta.
        
        Was it the process or the execution (you were scoring, right?)
        
        Did the process work? Why not?
        
        How can you improve it?
      - Always Autopsy (After Action Review).
        
        What went good?
        
        What went bad?
        
        How can I improve it?
        
        What should I do differently or better next time?
    - - Sign up for the coaching newsletter
      - Review the coaching from the book (starts Pg. 180)
    - - Again, model the behavior
      - WAMs are very important
      - Be sure to start strong - have a good, solid 12-week plan. Don't leave room to blame the process so you and your team can focus on the execution.