How OKRs Transformed my Goals into Action
A guide into how I used OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to turn my goals into actionable plans.
Back in February, after an epic four-month adventure across 11 countries, I landed back in Sydney feeling a mix of excitement and…well, a little lost. Starting work again on Monday was looming, and all those "one-day" goals I'd collected on my travels suddenly felt overwhelming.
Then, I stumbled upon a game-changer: a Harvard Business Review Harvard Business Review (HBR) article "Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want". It talked about defining your ideal life and creating a plan to get there. That resonated deeply. But how to translate those dreams into action?
Enter OKRs, or Objectives and Key Results. This framework, often used in business, turned out to be a secret weapon for personal growth too. Here's how I used OKRs to tackle my "one-day" list and areas I wanted to be more consistent in – from mastering Spanish to hitting the gym, and from planning friend catch-ups to connecting more with family.
At the risk of sounding like a bot, I'm sharing my journey so far.
Inspired by Harvard Business Review
This guide is based on the Harvard Business Review (HBR) article "Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want," which highlights the importance of defining a life strategy. The article proposes a seven-step process that encourages us to reflect on what truly matters and chart a course towards a fulfilling life.
The Seven Steps to Strategise Your Life
Define a Great Life: What does success look like for you? Consider various aspects of life like happiness, fulfillment, and relationships.
Discover Your Purpose: What ignites your passion and aligns with your values? How can you contribute meaningfully to the world?
Craft Your Vision: Envision yourself in the future. What do you want to achieve and who do you want to become?
Analyse Your Life Portfolio: Assess how you currently allocate your time and energy across different areas like relationships, health, career, and hobbies.
Seek Inspiration: Learn from others and research what contributes to life satisfaction.
Make Strategic Choices: Based on your self-discovery, prioritise changes that will move you closer to your ideal life.
Ensure Successful Change: Develop a plan with clear objectives and measurable results to track your progress.
A key actionable from the article is to complete the Life Strategy worksheet - linked here.
OKRs: Putting Your Life Strategy into Action
The OKR framework provides a structured approach to implementing the changes identified in step 6. Here's a breakdown of how OKRs work:
Objectives: These are broad, ambitious goals that define what you want to achieve within a specific timeframe (e.g., one year).
Key Results: These are measurable steps that demonstrate progress towards your objective. They should be specific, time-bound, and ambitious yet achievable.
An Example:
Objective: Enhance my mental and emotional well-being (one year)
Key Result 1: Meditate for 10 minutes daily for three months, starting [date].
Key Result 2: Practice gratitude journaling three times a week for six months, starting [date].
Key Result 3: Reduce screen time before bed by 30 minutes for nine months, starting [date].
Benefits of Using OKRs in Personal Life
Clarity and Focus: OKRs help you prioritise goals and break them down into manageable steps.
Increased Motivation: Tracking progress towards measurable key results keeps you motivated and engaged.
Improved Time Management: By focusing on key results, you can allocate your time and energy more effectively.
Greater Sense of Accomplishment: Achieving key results provides a sense of accomplishment and reinforces positive behaviour.
A Weekly Ritual for Success: The OKR Review
I believe the article provides a great guide to figure out what you want to do. The key difference for me came in the weekly review. Every Sunday, I will sip on my long black, and dedicate 30 minutes to revisit my OKRs.
Review Progress: Open your Google Sheets template (we'll get to that in a moment) and assess your progress for each Key Result. Are you on track? Did anything unexpected hinder your progress? I would add a score out of 100% against each goal, here's a guide on how to do that.
Commentary: At Amazon, commentary on data, reports, and evaluations is crafted with a focus on clarity, precision, and actionable insights. Documents are written to include detailed explanations, supporting data, and clear, actionable recommendations. This is something I’ve adopted in writing commentary for my own goals focusing on (1) Result, (2) Drivers, (3) Next steps. Amazon writing culture is well documented, you can learn more here and here.
Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge your achievements, big or small. Pat yourself on the back for sticking to that meditation habit or finally conquering that Duolingo streak!
Plan for the Week Ahead: Based on your review, set specific tasks and actions for the upcoming week that will move you closer to your Key Results. Schedule them in your calendar to ensure accountability.
Google Sheets Template for Your Personal OKRs
To help you get started with OKRs in your personal life, here's a Google Sheets template you can easily adapt.
Remember to track your goals on a weekly basis and to score each one! Sheet one contains the different Strategic Life Areas where you can set goals.
My Experience
Since adopting the OKR system, my life has undergone a remarkable transformation. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by my long list of "one-day" goals collected during my travels, but OKRs provided the structure I needed to make meaningful progress. By breaking down broad objectives into specific, measurable key results, I've been able to stay focused and motivated. I've seen tangible improvements in my Spanish proficiency, fitness routine, and personal relationships. The weekly review process has been particularly beneficial, allowing me to celebrate small wins and adjust my strategies as needed.
What am I reading/listening to?
"Make Your Bed" by William H. McRaven is a short motivational book that draws powerful life lessons from Admiral McRaven's experiences as a Navy SEAL and commander. It’s based on a university commencement speech given at The University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Through anecdotes and insights gained from SEAL training and military operations, McRaven shares timeless principles on resilience, teamwork, and perseverance, encouraging readers to adopt small, consistent habits that can lead to significant personal and professional achievements.
Words of Wisdom
"The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets." - William H. McRaven