While Steps # 1 – 2 are the exciting part — the goal-setting and vision-casting of December / January , Step # 3 , the EXECUTION is where the best laid plans often go awry . However , there is one big secret I ’ ve been using with law firms for years that will help you achieve the Big Goals you set for your law firm .
Frankly , the old method of setting yearly / annual goals and then reviewing them at the end of the year doesn ’ t work for many law firms . Many firms start off with an impressive list of Annual Goals they want to achieve for the year but lose steam and momentum as the year moves forward . They become bogged down with various bottlenecks , and many of their goals remain undone by year ’ s end . If you want to get this part right , and bring your Precise Vision into fruition , your best bet is to change your mindset from Annual Goals to Quarterly Goals instead .
This concept piggybacks on the revolutionary approach set forth by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington in their book “ The Twelve Week Year .” With this approach , you treat each 12 weeks as a year in itself , and plan and execute your goals accordingly . This shift in mindset radically changes how goals are set , and thereby , how they are achieved . Once you start thinking in terms of 12 week ( or “ Quarterly ”) increments , what was once seemingly huge becomes doable .
By using your Precise Vision + Blueprint as a Guide , and then holding quarterly brainstorming / implementation meetings , you will be able to set and then implement the smaller goals necessary to achieve your Big Objectives . You will not lose focus or momentum . You will be able to set the smaller goals that move you ever-forward , because you are taking the time each quarter to brainstorm and set forth a precise action plan that “ gets in the weeds ” enough to make things happen .
I urge you to commit to holding quarterly meetings with your key stakeholders or executive team members because they will help you produce results . I believe they are essential to effective implementation . After years of working with various law firms across the country , I can tell you with confidence that the firms that commit to doing the planning / holding the quarterly meetings and following through on the details are the ones that see tangible results and more rapid growth .
The Trial Lawyer x 19