The secret method Google and Intel use to achieving big audacious goals.

10 Steps to Implementing OKRs to help unlock your career success this year.

We are just over a week into the new year. It’s a time for new resolutions and creating new habits, as well as setting career goals for the year ahead.

Unfortunately, around 80% of New Year's resolutions are abandoned by mid-February. Once work and the busyness of day-to-day stress of life returns it can be difficult to keep on track.

SMART goals are commonly cited as the best method to help breakdown larger goals into chunks that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. While helpful, SMART goal formula can be a bit too rigid for the “real world” - meaning it boils everything down to the end result (Did you achieve your goal or not?) rather than celebrating and rewarding progress.

A better solution might be OKRs, a method invented in the 70s and adapted by Google to set teams and individuals up for success.

What are OKRs?

OKRs, or Objectives and Key Results, are a goal-setting methodology designed to drive focus, alignment, and measurable outcomes within organisations. First coined by Andrew Grove at Intel in the 1970s ( later popularised by Google), the framework aims to establish clear, ambitious objectives alongside specific, quantifiable key results.

Objectives provide a sense of purpose and direction, while Key Results serve as tangible metrics to track progress. This approach fosters transparency, accountability, and collaboration, enabling teams to work cohesively towards shared goals.

Why are OKRs useful?

OKRs provide clarity and focus by setting clear objectives that align with your overall mission. This helps you understand your purpose and prioritise effectively.

The measurable Key Results associated with each objective offer a concrete way to track progress, ensuring accountability and transparency. In combination - the O and the KRs encourage ambitious goal-setting, rather than diluting your goals into more “realistic” ones.

It’s an adaptable framework, allowing you to respond to changes and adjust priorities as needed.

How to use OKRs for personal success

While big tech generally uses OKRs for team and business success, you can leverage the framework to ensure you stick to your personal goals. Here’s how:

1. Define Your Aspirations:

   1. Identify your long-term goals and aspirations.

   2. What do you want to achieve in various aspects of your life, such as career, personal development, health, or relationships?
      

2. Set Clear Objectives:

   1. For each aspect you identified, set clear and inspiring objectives. These should articulate what you aim to accomplish and provide direction.

   2. Key word - inspiring. Don’t play things down, that will come in later. Dream the dream.
      

3. Make Objectives Measurable:

   1. Ensure your objectives are measurable and quantifiable. This makes it easier to track progress and success.

   2. Ask yourself: How will I know when I've achieved this objective?
      

4. Identify Key Results:

   1. Break down each objective into specific, measurable, and time-bound key results.

   2. These are the steps or milestones that indicate progress toward your objectives.
      

5. Prioritise Key Results:

   1. Determine the most critical key results that will have a significant impact on achieving your objectives.

   2. Focus on what matters most and what will drive the most value.
      

6. Create a Timeline:

   1. Assign timelines to your key results to create a sense of urgency and structure.

   2. This helps in tracking progress and staying on course.
      

7. Regularly Review and Reflect:

   1. Schedule regular check-ins to review your progress.

   2. Reflect on what is working well and what needs adjustment.

   3. Be open to modifying your OKRs based on changing circumstances or insights.
      

8. Iterate and Improve:

   1. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement.

   2. Learn from your experiences, adjust your objectives and key results accordingly, and iterate on your personal OKRs over time.
      

9. Stay Adaptable:

   1. Life is dynamic, and priorities may change.

      Stay adaptable and be open to adjusting your OKRs to align with evolving circumstances and goals.
      

10. Celebrate Achievements:

    1. Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments when you reach key results or achieve objectives.

    2. Recognising success reinforces motivation and encourages ongoing commitment.

And Remember…

Personal OKRs are a tool to help you stay focused, motivated, and on track toward your aspirations. Life gets in the way sometimes. As you are working towards your objectives, you may need to add new key results or tweak existing ones.

Adjust them as needed and enjoy the process of personal growth and achievement.

You got this.