1yr (vs) 5yr Goals / PAS

[nrjaurora]

Wanted to guage this question that's been running on playback in my mind with everyone / get feedback with regards to it - it's been kind of a road block for me interms of me designing a solid personal accountability system.

Is it best to just focus on your purpose (page 1) and a/several long term objective/s / ultimate desire/s w/ 1yr goals broken out under the longterm objective/s into quarterly goals (page 2,3,etc. depending on how many longterm objectives / areas a person has or wants to focus on) -- then have a project list with an next action list?? (or) is it best to have focus on your long term objective and set a 5yr goal and then break that 5yr goal into 1yr goals and each year break the 1yr goal down into quarterly -- sthen have a project list with an next action list??

Your feedback would be most valued and appreciated. I may be complicating the simplicity and effectiveness of Steve P's system which if I am I will realize soon enough but for right now this is where I'm at...

Also, if you feel open to share - please do re: what kind of system you personally have designed or have adopted?

I like Steve P.'s - however I can't figure out if he just focuses on his primary objective (his purpose) and set's one year goals accordingly (stated as so in one of his posts) or if he has his goals laid out in 5yr, 10yr, increments breaking down into 1yr and then into quarterly (and this being the longterm planning doc's he has on his computer????

[dannielo]

I think it's better to focus on 1 year goals, or better 3-month or 6-month goals. Then projects and next actions.

Focusing on the long distance (5y) might become an excuse to postpone action.

[nrjaurora]

thanks.... dannielo... much appreciated....

[Piercetheveil]

I have a general direction for 5 years out. However, knowing I am constantly changing I am not obsessed with that far out.

Here is my system:

(This assumes that I have taken time to understand my strengths and what I would like to see out of the near future).

I look at 5 areas for the next 12 months (I have found that anymore than 5 and I achieve nothing).

I create a sentence or two on what I want to do and why. I then ask myself what feeling I am trying to get out of this goal. Once that is fleshed out I ask myself if this goal is the best path to achieve it. If not I scrap the goal and rethink. If so I proceed.

I then create a method to measure progress. A metric. I have to have this as I tend to rationalize and ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ myself.

Then I break down the target into quarterly marks.

Everyday I use a tip I stole from Zenhabits. That is to act on 3 MIT's (most important tasks) the first thing in the morning. As soon as I get up I drink a glass of water and look at my moleskin journal and quarterly goal sheets. I write down something I can do a.s.a.p. before noon.

I review where I am every Sunday and set the agenda for the next week (2 hours).

Every Sunday at the end of the month I overview the month. I look at the metrics and Use Steve's TLP process. To dig deep to see if I am where I need to be. Sometimes I find that I simply do not want what I have been working toward. Swallow the pride and move on.

Once a quarter I take a weekend in a special location to enjoy peace and quiet. I meditate and take a look at the previous three months. I then adjust or proceed as need be.

I take the entire month of December off. I do a silent retreat for 7 days. I spend the the next week looking at the past year. I close that up. The next 7 is not a silent retreat but is spent in meditation and communication with friends and family. No work. No goals. Just being. I then spend the rest of month looking at the next year. Dreaming. Writing down possibilities. Journaling. I flesh the goals out around the 28th. I celebrate the goal possibilities and dreams on the first of Jan and spend the first half of Jan gathering what is needed and taking small action. I have momentum by the end of the month.

I enjoy my process. I scrapped my Franklin planner and all my former methods and hacked my own.

This has taken years to get to something I use and stick with.

Also see: thefourhourworkweek (both the site and the book).

[dice]

No goals! We need a revolution. Live in the moment, how arrogant of us to plan for a future that isn't guaranteed to exist! If today was your last day, would you be happy knowing that you spent it planning your finances for the year 2012, or working out the number of reps you had to do to build up your biceps?

live live live. Work on principals, not plans. And everything will be okay.

1000 years ago they had Philosophy, not personal development. Just remember that.

If your working with other people and as a group your working like an army to attack or build something, by all means plan coordinate and cooperate, because then if one falls others still know how to follow. But if your flying a solo ship, please just let go and live.

[nrjaurora]

piercetheveil & dice - many thanks for your posts they're not only insightful but give much food for thought. you both have great perspectives. i look forward to reviewing your reply's in depth and making some decisions re: planning / goals.

quick note: peircetheveil - not many people are willing to share their system at least from what I've noticed with how many views there have been (vs) the responses in this forum - my hats off to you for stepping up and sharing - I'm sure many people will benefit from your contribution.

quick note: dice - same to you too. not many people are willing to share their system - my hats off to you too for stepping up and sharing / many people will benefit from your contribution.

I'll be copying and pasting your responses in another thread I created one more specific too a personal accountability system; so anyone who may click on either this thread or that one can benefit.

thanks again.

[nrjaurora]

For all who pass through this thread I challenge you all to step up to the plate like piercetheveil & dice because in the end nothing but progress can come from it and you never know who you could help.

[vMike]

Piercetheveil, very nice!

I find that question quite important also.
When trying to focus on small goals, like for 1 month, or 1 year - they seem small and insignificant and not as motivating and bigger goals seem too far away..