You know that feeling when December rolls around, and you look back at those New Year ’s resolutions you made in January? Yeah, me too. The truth is, running an IT services company in Austin, there is no shortage of dreams I have envisioned and ambitious annual goals on my part that somehow got lost in daily trivia. That’s why the 12-week year system has completely changed my game.
Let me tell you a tale. So last year, I had this big dream of expanding my IT services beyond Austin into Houston and San Antonio. Sounds great on paper, right? But month after month slipped by, and that comfortable thought of “I still have time” kept me from making it real. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon Brian Moran and Michael Lennington’s 12-week year concept that things finally clicked.
Instead of thinking about having an entire year to expand into new cities, I started asking myself, “What can I actually accomplish in the next 12 weeks?” Suddenly those vague plans changed into concrete actions: setting up three networking events in San Antonio, securing one new contract in Houston, and building relationships with local IT communities.
You can try it here.
Another game-changer was our client onboarding process. At first, I thought it would take an entire year to see any real improvement, but with the 12-week year approach, I saw things a different way. In just one 12-week cycle, we redesigned our welcome email series and installed a new CRM tool. The result? Our client satisfaction scores soared.
When you wade through the details and reach the end, the system gives you some illusions of staying on track.I have large blocks of time, and then I will schedule buffer blocks- times dedicated to handling low-priority tasks, such as emails and paperwork, when they can be put on the front burner again in their place This way my mind stays focused on high-priority activities that actually move the needle for my business.
Making It Work in Different Areas
The beauty of this system? It works for everything. When I decided to improve my fitness, instead of the vague “get in shape” goal, I set specific 12-week targets: work out four times weekly and run a 5K by the end of the cycle. The shorter timeframe kept me consistent and motivated.
Think about it – 12 months is just too long to maintain consistent motivation. We start strong in January, but by March or April, that energy often fades. The 12 Week Year eliminates this by creating shorter, more urgent deadlines. Every week counts when you only have 12 of them.
Success comes from breaking those big annual goals into 12-week cycles. If you have a year-long goal, split it into four 12-week segments, each with its own milestones. This makes progress measurable and maintains your focus.
The system provides several crucial tools for effective execution:
– Buffer blocks for handling routine tasks
– Weekly planning sessions
– Daily action alignment with 12-week goals
– Progress tracking mechanisms
– Accountability systems
The tools that I have been using are from the excellent program 12 week breakthrough.
Lead indicators are the activities you need to do, while lag indicators show your results. For example, in my business, lead indicators might be the number of client meetings scheduled, while lag indicators would be new contracts signed. Focusing on lead indicators helps ensure you’re taking the right actions daily.
Watch out for these common mistakes:
– Setting unrealistic 12-week goals
– Skipping weekly planning sessions
– Lacking proper accountability
– Trying to tackle too many goals at once
Whether it’s for business or personal goals, the 12 Week Year system can transform how you achieve results. Start by defining clear, measurable goals for the next 12 weeks. Break these down into weekly and daily actions. Find an accountability partner or group.
The 12 Week Year isn’t a magic solution – it’s a practical framework that requires commitment and consistency. However, when used correctly, it can help you achieve in 12 weeks what others might take 12 months to accomplish.
– Break annual goals into focused 12-week periods
– Create urgency through shorter timeframes
– Maintain accountability through regular check-ins
– Set measurable goals and track both lead and lag indicators
– Plan weekly and stay focused on daily actions
– Be realistic but ambitious with your 12-week goals
– Apply the system to both business and personal objectives
Remember, the next 12 weeks start when you decide. Why wait for January when you could begin your journey to better productivity today?
Contact
12-Week Breakthrough
1815 JFK Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA
dan.mintz@12week-breakthrough.com
