The following was originally posted in 2022. It highlights my annual planning framework, which was front of mind as the calendar turned to 2024. The approach is not one-size fits all, but you may find it useful. Cheers.

---

I was asked a question recently, “how do you know if your daily actions align to your long-term goals?” A simple question, yet one that has bounced around my head over the past few months.

See, I’m like anyone else. I set goals and develop plans to achieve them. However, fast forward a few weeks or months and the goals are still unmet. Maybe life or work, something had gotten in the way. Sh*t happens, ya know?

So, how to solve for this? What systems can help better achieve desired outcomes? I’ve chased an answer through books, talks, and writing in recent months. And, I ended up with a viable approach closer to “home” than I anticipated. It may just work for you as well…

///

Agile. A popular term in today’s business world. While interpretations vary, the target benefits are consistent. Become more adaptive, shorten feedback loops, increase focus on value, etc. All good things.

A lesser known component of agile organizations is a concept called, Lean Portfolio Management (or “LPM” for short). By the books, Lean Portfolio Management aligns strategy and execution by applying systems thinking to investment funding, agile portfolio operations, and governance (according to Scaled Agile).

In layman’s terms, LPM is an approach for companies to plan, fund, and govern their work. A framework to translate (top-of-house) strategic objectives into desired business outcomes – through effective and efficient investment of people and dollars. Summed up in a simple question, “are we investing our (fixed) resources in the right places to get the right outcomes?”

Sounds like a reasonable target, though one to unpack. Why do companies adopt lean portfolio principles?

• They are “stuck” in long-term planning cycles with limited ability to change direction
• They have no idea if their investments actually move the “needle” towards their long-term goals
• And, most of all… they lack accountability to deliver planned outcomes (or at least learn from them)

I recently designed a target state (LPM) program for a client. As that project came to a close earlier this year, I was hit with a realization. Why can’t this LPM framework be applied to the same pain points of my own goal-setting journey? I set out to test this hypothesis with my own life… “a lean approach to life.“

///

So, how does LPM work in practice?

It all starts with a Vision. “Who or where do I want to be in a year from now?” Potentially, a hard question, but a foundational one to set direction. It also feeds the next key question; “what do I need to accomplish in the next 3-months to build towards that target?”

• Disclaimer, this activity may even trigger the always fun existential question; “what am I doing with my life?” The intention isn’t to have all the answers. It is about getting started then adjusting along the way.

Next, came Allocation. “How should I invest my resources?” Like (almost) everyone else, I have a fixed amount of time, money, etc. So, in practice the question became; “where is my time and money best spent in the next 2-4 weeks?”

• Remember, this is an exercise in trade-offs. By saying yes to this, I am saying no to that. I like two quotes to reinforce this. First, as Peter Drucker said, “People are effective because they know how to say no,” and second, “You must be single minded. Drive for the one thing that you’ve decided,” as the great General George Patton said.

Finally, Accountability. “How will I track against my plan?” The LPM framework presents an adaptable cadence:

• A Monthly “Personal Sync”: A once-a-month hourly session to reflect on current progress. Think, “how am I tracking against my goals? Then, where do I need to adjust course?“
• A Quarterly “Personal Planning”: A once-a-quarter two-hour planning session to reset my key priorities and desired outcomes for the next three months. Think, “what do I need to accomplish during the next three months to stay on course with my desired target?“
• Disclaimer; a “set-it and forget” approach between sessions will set you up for failure. The more active you are to check-in on status, it will only increases success. Otherwise, you risk falling into a “guilt trap” at your next monthly sync when you realized that you got nothing done 😞 .

///

Sounds reasonable. So, how could you get started?

• Plan; Define an outlook for the year. “What are you looking to accomplish?” Deconstruct that into what do you need to accomplish in the next 3-months to build towards that annual outlook. And, yes that means write them down. I use google sheets, but use whichever tool you prefer (including paper, a whiteboard, etc.)
• Schedule; Open your calendar and plan each month’s personal sync (1-hour) and each quarter’s personal planning (2-hours). I prefer a Saturday morning due to limited distraction, but once again pick whichever day works for you.
• Show-up; This one explains it self (and is the most important in my opinion). Commit to “show-up” to each session and reward yourself when you do. For me, I head to my favorite coffee shop and order-up 20 oz of caffeine.
• Adapt; Whether it is your outcomes, or this approach, take time to reflect. “Are you achieving your outcomes? Is this framework useful?” Answer those, and be prepared to adjust. Remember, the intention is to help you achieve outcomes, not create administrative overhead.

That’s it. Some upfront thinking, and a few hours each quarter. Easy enough? Maybe.

It has helped my life, but is certainly not “one-size” fits all. It is one (of many) approaches to better manage your most precious resource; time.

Cheers. NH.