I've spent a lot of time this past year thinking about what actually matters - in business and in life. One thing that's kept me sharp through a pretty challenging period is a simple monthly check-in. Eight questions. No BS. Just honest reflection on whether I'm moving in the right direction.
This is the first instalment of a new series I'm launching through Zeb Aitken Advisory called The Playbook. If you lead a team, run a business or just want to be more intentional about how you're operating - this one's worth a read. Because planning without action is just noise.
WHICH DECISIONS MOVED ME CLOSER TO MY GOAL?
Every decision in business - and in life - either moves you closer to your goal or it doesn't. Look back at the last month honestly. Were your decisions aligned with your strategy? If this exercise serves to highlight the fact that your strategy isn't clear or easily articulated - that's extremely valuable in and of itself.
DID I FOCUS MY TIME ON WHAT TRULY MATTERS?
Time is precious. Are you spending yours in the areas it truly matters? It’s better to be crushing the main thing rather than flailing at a thousand.
IS THERE ANYTHING HARD I HAVE BEEN AVOIDING?
Sometimes the things we avoid - hard conversations, difficult decisions, uncomfortable truths - are the exact things that could make the biggest difference. Tackle them before they have a chance to escalate further.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A HARD NO?
Saying yes when you should say no is one of the most expensive habits in business. It leaves you overextended, burnt out and spread across things that were never really yours to carry.
WHAT AM I PROUD OF THAT NO ONE ELSE SAW?
Not every win comes with an audience. Important progress happens quietly too - a hard conversation you finally had, a boundary you held, a decision you made for the right reasons. Invisible wins compound.
DID I CELEBRATE THE WINS - BIG AND SMALL?
In the relentless drive to move forward it's easy to skip straight to what's next. But pausing to acknowledge what's working isn't a luxury - it fuels the next push. Don't let the small wins disappear unnoticed.
EVALUATE YOUR LEVEL OF BUSY, THEN LOOK HARDER
The world is at peak busy right now. Spread thin, going home exhausted, starting all over again the next day. But busy and productive are not the same thing, and most of us know it. Ask yourself - is your ‘busy’ meaningful, or default?
WHAT ARE MY 3 ESSENTIAL GOALS FOR NEXT MONTH?
Not your whole to-do list. Pick three. The ones that align with your strategy and actually move the needle on what matters most. Write them down, revisit them daily, and make every significant decision through that lens.
By answering these questions honestly on a monthly basis, you're not only laying the foundations for an extremely successful business, you're also pausing to reflect on where your time and energy is being directed. This is more powerful than you may know. And if any of these questions made you uncomfortable - great. That's an area you need to shine a light on, and a massive opportunity to be unlocked.
