Worked Examples: Putting the Method into Practice
Let’s move from theory to application. Here are two common scenarios, showing how this structured approach transforms a vague desire into a clear, actionable plan.
Scenario 1: The Career Pivot
The Person: Sarah, a marketing coordinator who feels unfulfilled and wants to transition into a more creative and technical role as a UX (User Experience) designer.
Tier 1: The Big Vision Board. Sarah’s board is filled with images of people collaborating in modern offices, sleek app interfaces, and quotes about creativity and problem-solving. Her “why” is to have a career that engages her analytical mind and creative spirit, offering better long-term growth and financial stability.
Tier 2: Quarterly Theme. Staring at the board, Sarah realizes the first step is acquiring the necessary skills. Her theme for the first quarter is “Foundational Skills Acquisition.” This single focus prevents her from getting distracted by networking or portfolio building before she’s ready.
Tier 3: Weekly Focus (OKR Format). For the first week of her “Foundational Skills” quarter, Sarah sets a clear objective:
Objective: Begin my online UX certification course with strong momentum.
Key Results:
1. Watch and take notes on the first three video modules.
2. Complete the introductory project on user personas.
3. Dedicate four hours of focused study time.
Tier 4: Daily Actions. Sarah looks at her Key Results and her calendar. She time-blocks one hour every evening from Monday to Thursday for “UX Study.” Her daily action is simple: When the 8 PM calendar reminder appears, she opens her laptop and starts the next lesson. On Friday, she reviews her “done list” for the week: “Completed 4 study hours. Finished 3 modules. Drafted user personas.” She has met her goal and feels a sense of accomplishment.
Measurement: Sarah tracks her leading indicator: hours studied (input). She knows that if she consistently hits her input goal, the course completion percentage (the lagging indicator) will take care of itself. If she has a busy week and only manages two hours, she doesn’t quit. In her weekly review, she adjusts next week’s plan to be more realistic, perhaps aiming for three hours instead of four.
Scenario 2: The Fitness Goal
The Person: Mark, who wants to improve his cardiovascular health and has a goal of running a 5k race in four months.
Tier 1: The Big Vision Board. Mark’s board has a picture of a 5k finish line, people looking energetic and happy outdoors, and a printout of healthy-looking meals. His “why” is not just about the race; it’s about having more energy to play with his kids and feeling better in his own body.
Tier 2: Quarterly Theme. For the first 90 days, Mark knows he needs to build a solid base. His theme is “Consistent Conditioning.” The goal isn’t speed or distance yet; it’s simply about establishing the habit of running regularly without injury.
Tier 3: Weekly Focus (SMART Goal Format). Using a beginner 5k training plan, Mark sets his goal for Week 2: “This week, I will complete three run/walk sessions as prescribed by my training plan, totaling at least 30 minutes of activity per session.” This goal is Specific (three run/walks), Measurable (3 sessions), Achievable (it’s a beginner plan), Relevant (to his theme), and Time-bound (this week).
Tier 4: Daily Actions. Mark schedules his runs on his calendar for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings before work. His daily action on those days is simple: “Put on running clothes and go outside.” He knows that starting is the hardest part. He doesn’t worry about the full 30 minutes; he just focuses on the first five. By the end of the week, his “done list” shows three completed workouts.
Measurement: His primary metric is a leading indicator: “Number of workouts completed per week.” His goal is 3 out of 3. This is a simple, controllable yes/no metric. He also tracks his distance and time, but he sees those as secondary, lagging indicators. The main thing is showing up. If he gets sick and misses a run, he doesn’t see it as a failure. During his weekly review, he adjusts the following week’s plan to ease back into it, ensuring he doesn’t push too hard and risk injury.
