Mini-Book Review: The 12 Week Year by Brian P Moran

If you want to get better at execution and crush your goals, you need to read this book.  

I’m talking about the 12-Week Year by Brian P Moran.   

This books dives into the tactics of execution, staring with a mindset shift – consider the year 12 weeks, not 12 months.  That way you’re setting more urgent, short-term goals and every day counts.   

There’s 4 key tactics covered in this book:

1. Break your goals down into 12-week execution plans
2. Leverage block scheduling
3. Track your progress using a scoreboard
4. Attend a weekly accountability meeting 

Let’s dive in! 

12 Week Execution Plans 

We all know about SMART goals.  This book takes them a step farther and has you break them down into the execution tactics with a week-by-week plan.   

I love this method and have found our clients are far more successful when they do it.  When you have a week by week execution plan, you’re more clear on what has to be done, focused and less prone to procrastination.   

Leverage Block Scheduling

With your 12-week plan in hand, you can start to look at your calendar and block schedule time to execute the tasks needed.  Generally, these goals are the most important thing(s) you need to do, so get the time needed in your calendar it books up.  

Track Your Progress 

Develop a set of lagging metrics for the goal, so you know when it’s done, and leading metrics for the 12-week plan.  Leading metrics are a measurement of the activity needed to achieve the lagging metrics.   

Track these metrics throughout the 12 weeks to ensure you’re on track.  

Attend a Weekly Accountability Meeting

This is where it all comes together.  The weekly accountability meeting is where you check-in, drive focus and solve any issues that arise.  After all, you don’t want to let your team down, do you?   

The book provides a very simple accountability meeting format.  I strongly recommend implementing the Level 10 Meeting from EOS.

Conclusion

This is a must read for anyone who wants to get stronger at crushing their goals.  It’s simple, tactical and powerful. 

Crush those goals!