Goal planning is an exciting time of the year. It is a chance to look back at the past year, celebrate your wins and successes, and reflect on what did not happen and what remains important as you move into the new year. This is the perfect moment to consider what you truly desire and to be intentional and deliberate about your goals for the year ahead.
People can feel jaded about setting goals because they see them as fleeting intentions, such as New Year’s resolutions that last a week and then fade away. This often happens because there is no solid plan to support meaningful change and action. The Performance Planner is designed to change that. It not only helps you reflect on the past but also provides a structured, actionable system to plan for the future and achieve your goals.
Goals are not just about setting intentions. Intentions are great, but they are only as effective as the actions, focus, and drive behind them. This planner bridges the gap between intention and action. It walks you through five main steps, each broken into micro-steps, to help you achieve meaningful results.
My Goal-Planning Journey
Years ago, around 2000, I had a mentor who shared with me that he and his wife took a yearly planning retreat to review their life. They reflected on marriage, work, family, and everything that mattered to them. They discussed what was working, what wasn’t, and what they wanted moving forward. At the time, I was newly married, and he encouraged Mike and me to create this kind of ritual for ourselves. We started by taking the week between Christmas and New Year’s to go to the beach, relax, and plan. A few years later, when I attended Coach Training Institute, I learned about the Wheel of Life. We used it to assess the eight main areas of life by rating each from zero to ten. Each year, we would compare our ratings, talk about what we wanted to change, and set both individual and shared goals. For example, we’d focus on finances, home improvement projects, or other shared priorities. Even after we had children, we kept up this ritual, finding ways to adjust as life became more demanding. Now, over 25 years later, this practice is still a core part of my end-of-year tradition. It has helped me evolve my goals, reflect on progress, and maintain focus. While some goals have taken years to achieve, others have come together quickly. The point is not about how long it takes but about staying committed to the process.
Why Use the Performance Planner?
The Performance Planner has evolved from a simple process into a comprehensive system that includes new tools like the Vision Board and Word of the Year exercises.
This updated version streamlines the planning process into 5 steps and 14 micro-steps and is a fillable PDF you can save to enter your thoughts.
Here is what is covered in the planner:
The 5 Steps:
- Step 1: REFLECT
- 1a. Review Past Year Highlights
- 1b. Reflect Questions
- 1c. Toleration Inventory
- Step 2: ASSESS
- 2a. Wheel of Life Assessment
- 2b. Walk the Talk
- 2c. Internal Skills Assessment
- Step 3: IMAGINE
- 3a. Envision
- 3b. Vision Board
- 3c. Theme Word
- Step 4: PLAN
- 4a. Big Picture Goals
- 4b. Action Steps
- 4c. Milestones
- Step 5: DESIGN
- 5a. Year Outlook
- 5b. Accountability Plan
How to Get Started
- Download Your Planner: Sign up to receive our blog posts here and receive your Performance Planner. Once your subscription is confirmed, the planner will be sent directly to you.
- Set Aside Time: Dedicate an hour a day or take a full day to work through the planner. Personally, I recommend finding a quiet, relaxing spot where you can fully focus and enjoy the process.
- Share Your Goals: After completing the planner, I’d love to hear your Big Picture Goal for 2025. Send it to me so I can support you on your journey.
A Tradition That Lasts
If this process feels overwhelming, remember to take it one step at a time. Year after year, this ritual has helped me and my clients achieve great progress and results. The Performance Planner is more than a tool, it is a system that evolves with you and keeps you moving forward. Enjoy the journey, and I look forward to seeing what you create for yourself in 2025!
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