One of the biggest changes I made in 2016 was to implement a 90-day plan in my business. I did this for the last quarter of 2016 (and still do it today) and it has exploded my productivity, not to mention my creativity.
I'm not sure why, but I believe it has something to do with the visual aspect of the 90-day planning process I use. By being able to see, at a glance, exactly where I'm at in my business and my plan, I can also see how I'm tracking towards my overall goals for the year.
It's empowering.
If you want to feel the same way in 2021, I encourage you to create your own 90-day plan and see how it works for you.
Creating a 90-Day Plan
What I really love about setting 90-day goals is that I only have to focus on a few things over this period and it stops me from getting overwhelmed with ALL. THE. THINGS.
If you get overwhelmed, then you're gonna love implementing the 90-day plan.
The point of a 90-day plan is that it stops you from focusing on all your goals for the year. Instead, the 90-day plan allows you to take your goals for the year and then break them down into 90-day stretches, 30-day stretches and then 2-week sprints.
Ready? Let's get started!
Step 1: Review your goals
Take your goal card (if you don't have one yet, check out this blog post to create your own), look at what your main goals are for the next 12 months and then think about how you’re going to achieve them.
Write down everything you’ll need to do to reach your goals. This might include writing books, creating courses, promoting your services etc.
Your goals should be no more than 3 for an entire 12-month period, and then you'll break down those goals into all the steps needed to achieve them… those become part of your 90-day stretches.
Step 2: Review your strategic plan
Before you can create your first 90-day plan, you'll need to review your strategic plan as well. This tells you what you've got planned for the year, but doesn't go into all the nitty-gritty details.
If you don't have one created yet, then you'll need to do this first. Check out this blog post to start your own strategic plan.
If you need help coming up with a more concrete plan or aren't really too sure what you want to focus on, then I'd recommend using this awesome workbook. It's called “Cultivate Your Hustle
It will change the way you approach your business!
Step 3: Put it all together into a 90-day plan!
Once you’ve reviewed your goals and strategic plan, think about the next quarter and what you want to focus on to achieve your 2-3 main overarching goals.
Pick 1-3 steps to focus on for the next 90 days. Remember, don’t try to do it all!
In fact, you shouldn't be doing any more than 3 main things over the next 90 days.
Break these down further into 30-day stretches. You should end up with 30 days, 60 days and then 90 days worth of goals.
Get a copy of the 90-day planning template that I use in Trello here: The 90-Day Plan
Make sure you leave time in your 90-day plan to repeat this exercise for every quarter as well.
90-Day Planning in a Planner!
If you're more of a journal or writer, like me, then you might like the 90x Goal Planner
You should include all the nitty-gritty details in your 90-day plan. Work backward… Start with your overall goal(s) for the next 90 days and then break this down into all the steps you need to take to achieve it.
Don't forget to schedule in your downtime too. I've found that if I don't have at least 30 minutes a day carved out in my calendar for ‘me' time, then it doesn't happen. This is one of my non-negotiables.
Once you do this, it makes creating your 90-day plan a lot easier. You can then create all your to-do tasks as well and add them to your Google Calendar or Todoist app.
Now it's Your Turn…
90-day planning isn't about rigid structure, it's about seeing what's ahead and planning accordingly. It allows you to pivot and be flexible and achieve the goals you set for yourself, rather than getting to the middle of the year and wondering where the last six months went…
Make sure you grab the 90-day plan Trello board and get started today.
9 replies to "How to Use a 90-Day Plan to Explode Your Productivity"
[…] it a step further and plan out how you’ll reach those goals in 90-day sprints, and you’ve got yourself a nice little success plan to ensure 2017 is your […]
I like the advice but for us visual interpreters, can you give examples like if someone’s 90 day goal was losing 20 lbs
Hi Ali, thanks for your comment. If you access the free 90-day plan I link to in the blog post (right at the bottom) you’ll be able to see how you can implement this for yourself.
Hi! I loved this post. I tried to register on several devices to get the 90 day plan but I get the same response : please fill out all required fields. They are all complete
Hi Elena, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I’m sorry that you had trouble accessing the 90-day plan. I entered your details in and had no issues… hopefully it shows up in your email shortly!
Thank you so much! I got it! Your blog is awesome
[…] Let’s make some bold move next year as mothers. Let’s set Realistic goals for different aspects of our lives for each quarter of 2024. […]
Hi there.
The link to join the Trello Board to download the 90 day plan is broken.
Check it out here: https://hustleandgroove.com/90-day-plan-signup/
Thanks for letting me know Sean – correct URL here: https://hustleandgroove.com/90-day-plan-opt-in/