Last week I came across an easy goal-setting framework from Gary Keller, former CEO of Keller-Williams Realty. In his Think Like a CEO podcast1, he presents a 1-3-5 framework for creating a one-page business plan. This framework can be applied to personal goals as well, especially when we mash it up with Brendon Burchard’s take on the 5 steps to any goal2.
I have to be honest. I don’t set explicit goals very often. I’m not exactly sure why – I know the importance, and I understand how motivating a goal can be. My guess is that I get hung up on putting pressure on myself to meet the goal, which then takes any fun out of it and I end up resenting the goal I put forth in the first place. However, when I heard about the 1-3-5 framework, I knew it was something I can implement with enthusiasm.
1-3-5 Goal-setting framework
Choose 1 goal. Identify 3 priorities for that goal. Then identify 5 strategies for each priority. Regardless of your role at work, you can put this into action. Leaders think about what the future can look like. To make that vision a reality, leaders need to think through the goals that will get them there. Using the 1-3-5 framework is one way to decompose a vision into actionable steps. (Note: the term decomposition is often used in project management to describe breaking big tasks into smaller ones.)
What if you’re not the CEO? This framework can be useful to you too because you are a leader. Whether you lead you and/or you lead others is immaterial. You are a leader. Let’s say you are an individual contributor. What role do you envision yourself in? (Not only is it ok not to have all the skills or experience to achieve that at the moment, it’s preferred! That’s what vision is all about!). That role is your goal. What three things do you need to prioritize to reach that goal? Skill development? Getting a mentor? Building credibility? For each one of those three priorities, what five strategies will get you there?
I’m getting a little lost in the goal/priority/strategy language
If you’re like me, choosing a goal and picking three priorities to achieve that goal isn’t the difficult part. The word “strategy” seems a bit daunting. If you’re an executive this word is second nature to you. It’s your plan. To put the 1-3-5 framework to use for you personally, think about the 5 strategies as steps. In Brendon Burchard’s training on project management, he states that you can break down any plan into 5 steps. So, what if we look at the 1-3-5 framework as 1 goal, 3 priorities, and 5 steps for each priority? For me, that helps make it easier to understand. It feels less business-like and more like an algebra problem (oh, I love algebra3 so this is perfect for me.)
What about really BIG goals?
In Brendon Burchard’s presentation on project management mastery he explains that you might have additional 5-step layers within the original 5 step plan. Let’s say you have something you want to accomplish in the next 5 years. For each of the 5 years you could set a goal that would be one step closer to your 5 year goal. A yearly goal may be a little big to manage or measure. In this case, you can break down the yearly goal in to 5 steps. If needed, each of those 5 steps could be broken down into 5 steps.
Big goals and big vision are difficult to wrap our minds around. With the 1-3-5 framework and the idea of “5 steps to accomplish any goal or project,” the vision seems less out-of-reach and the idea of reaching the goal seems plausible.
Fits on a page
Gary Keller made a point to say that the result of 1-3-5 goal setting is a business plan. He emphasized that this should fit on one page. When Brendon Burchard presented the 5 steps to accomplishing a project, he drew it on one sheet of flip chart paper. Even iterations within one of the steps can usually be noted on one page of a flip chart or document.
engineer your life
- Think about something you want to do in your personal life. It could be anything. Learn to play the piano. Grow your relationship with your spouse. Remodel your kitchen. Set a goal, then identify three priorities for that goal, and five steps for each priority to bring that part of the goal to life.
- Think about a goal you want to set for work. This could be a goal for your organization or an aspirational personal goal. Again, set the goal, identify three priorities for that goal, and five strategies for each priority.
references
1Keller, Gary. November 18, 2019. Think Like a CEO with Gary Keller & Jay Papasan. “2. Leading with Energy”. [Audio podcast]
2Burchard, Brendon. June 18, 2020. The Brendon Show. “Project Management Mastery”. [Audio Podcast]
3I hope I didn’t scare you with the algebra reference – if you love process, or following a step-by-step plan, this is for you too.