OKRs are like New Years resolutions
If you don't stick to it
Many of us start the New Year with resolutions. Some may want to quit smoking. Others wish to lose weight. You see it at your local gym. In the first weeks, the place is packed. By the end of January, the same gym returns to its usual rhythm, as many struggle to maintain their resolutions.
The same applies to Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). It is one thing to set OKRs for the new year. It is another thing to stick to them. Before you know it, OKRs fade into the background.
The secret to sticking to resolutions is to create a habit. Go out and run twice a week at a set time. Swap out one aspect of your eating habits for a healthier option. OKRs only work when you make it a habit to use them. With OKRs, you can do the following:
The Key Results should be easily measurable and change regularly. If they are difficult to measure and don’t change a lot throughout the year, they aren’t good Key Results.
Make the OKRs transparent to everyone. People throughout the organization should know the OKRs and how they can contribute to achieving them.
Update the Key Results regularly to reflect the current status. It is vital to work with the latest information.
Plan regular check-ins to understand how the team is progressing towards the OKRs. If not, define actions to improve the chances of reaching them.
Lastly, plan and have regular moments of reflection on how effective using OKRs is and learn how to improve.
This framework enables you to effectively maintain the habit of using OKRs to achieve your goals, helping you avoid the common pitfall of dismissing them like New Year's resolutions.
With that, I wish you all success with sticking to your New Year's resolutions!
Happy 2025!
