Frequently Asked Questions About Personal OKRs
As a coach, I hear the same questions time and again as people start implementing this powerful system. Here are answers to some of the most common challenges you might face when you begin to set personal OKRs.
1. I have too many things I want to do. How do I choose just one or two objectives?
This is the most common challenge, and it stems from a fear of missing out. The truth is, if you chase five rabbits, you will catch none. The power of OKRs comes from radical focus. To choose, use the “impact vs. effort” matrix. For each potential goal, ask yourself: 1) If I achieved this, what kind of positive impact would it have on my life? and 2) How much effort will it realistically take? Prioritize the goal that offers the highest positive impact for a manageable amount of effort for the next 90 days. You can always pursue another goal next quarter. A single, completed objective is infinitely more valuable than five half-finished ones.
2. What if my personal or professional priorities conflict with each other?
Life is not siloed. Your career, health, and family life all compete for the same 24 hours in a day. The key is integration and realism. First, acknowledge that you can’t go 100% on all fronts simultaneously. There will be seasons of intense focus on career, and other seasons where health or family must come first. When setting your quarterly OKRs, do a “whole life” check. If you know a massive project at work is launching this quarter, it is not the time to also set an objective to write a novel. Your personal OKR should complement or, at the very least, be able to coexist with your professional demands. Sometimes, the most important objective is to maintain balance, such as, “Create a sustainable work-life rhythm to reduce stress,” with KRs around leaving work on time or dedicating tech-free hours to family.
3. My motivation is really low, even with a plan. What do I do?
Motivation is a fickle feeling; you cannot rely on it. You must rely on systems and discipline. However, persistent low motivation can be a sign of a deeper issue with your OKR. Ask yourself these questions: Is my Objective truly inspiring to me, or is it something I feel I *should* do? Your “why” has to be powerful. Are my Key Results too daunting? If a KR feels impossible, you’ll be demotivated. Break it down into smaller, more achievable milestones. “Run a marathon” is terrifying. “Complete my first 3-mile run” is doable. Finally, make sure you are celebrating small wins. Progress itself is a powerful motivator. Acknowledge every step forward, no matter how small.
4. My Key Result is hard to measure. How can I make it more concrete?
This often happens with goals related to creativity or soft skills, like “be a better public speaker” or “become more creative.” The trick is to find a proxy—a measurable action or outcome that correlates with the quality you want to improve. For “be a better public speaker,” a KR could be: “Deliver 5 presentations to my team and solicit written feedback,” or “Record myself speaking for 10 minutes each week and identify one area for improvement.” For “become more creative,” a KR could be: “Fill 20 pages in my sketchbook this quarter,” or “Write 100 headlines for a fictional product.” You aren’t measuring “creativity” directly, but you are measuring the consistent actions that lead to its development.
