2023 is just around the corner!

(Kathryn frantically orders gifts on Amazon…)

As you head into company annual planning and 2023 goal setting, here are 5 awesome tools to help facilitate the process.

Pick one to anchor around or incorporate aspects of all five. Being thoughtful now will pay dividends as you attack the new year!

5 Resources for Annual Planning

1. One Page Strategic Plan

A David Cummings classic. It works for large companies, individuals, teams, projects, personal, work, and everything in between.

Here’s the downloadable template.

2. S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Take a goal from vague pipe dream to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Whatever planning or goal setting framework you use, SMART goals always apply!

When we implemented the “SMART” principles to our quarterly planning process at Rigor, it changed the conversation. We stopped debating whether a goal was achieved and started talking about improvements, next iterations, or digging in on “why” something worked or didn’t.

3. OKRs

The Objectives and Key Results framework, initially created by Andrew Grove at Intel and popularized when John Doerr brought it to Google (and wrote a book about it).

It’s a great option for product or non-revenue projects and can be used at companies large and small.

4. Atomic Habits

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Atomic Habits is amazing.

James Clear wrote one of the most popular (4.8 out of 5 stars) and transformational books on how to change your life through habits.

You are what you do. You do what’s easy. How do you make it easy to achieve your goals? Build it into your daily workflow so it becomes automatic. Systems over goals.

5. Traction

Well-known business operating methodology that incorporates vision, data, goal setting, meeting cadences, and more.

If the Simple Strategic Plan is the Cliff Notes, Traction (aka Entrepreneur Operating System — well branded, Mr. Wickman) is the end-to-end handbook.

Read the book (not to be confused with THIS Traction book - also highly recommended) and see which aspects work for your company.

The Best Resource

…is the one that works for you!

Maybe you hate plans but love habits. Or you need something you can complete in less than an hour. Or you need something that can support a larger team.

Identify what what resonates with you at this stage.

Your process should feel meaningful and easy to maintain.

Speaking of maintaining…how do you stay on top of annual goals amidst startup and life chaos??!! We’ll talk next week about simple ways to build accountability and goal tracking into every day life.

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What tools do you use for annual planning? What goal and planning frameworks work well at your company?

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