2020 goals – due diligence questions

I have done some work on my goals for 2020.

I first completed a bottom-up analysis of what I wanted to achieve. Lots of my bottom-up goals were tangible things like:

• consulting revenue, client and work type targets
• blog post targets
• number of installed batteries
• number of new vertical farms
• time spent with family
• time spend on health/exercise.

These goals also lent themselves to metrics, timelines and actions which provide a strong backbone for their achievement.

In contrast, a top-down analysis was driven by the over-arching story that I want to tell at the end of 2020. The overarching story is in the form of statements like:

• I did all that I could to support my family and friends
• I practiced rigorous honesty
• I am fit and was proactive about my health
• I took a stand
• I used my abilities and privilege to build and lift up rather than extract and hold down
• I undertook effective rest/relaxation/recreation

Writing out those statements then generate a set of questions for me to regularly ask. While it is a dry process, it takes the form of a deal due diligence questionnaire.

Questions to be asked include:

• Am I being honest?
• Are my motivations for an action (or inaction) good?
• Is there more than can be done to support someone?
• Do I trust that the resources that I need will be made available for the necessary actions?
• Have I exercised and been proactive about my health?
• Did I take a stand when it was needed?
• Does this project or work build rather than extract?
• Does this calm and rejuvenate me?

It is not an exhaustive list but it gives me tools to check in with my progress towards my end of 2020 story that I want to tell.

The linkage between top-down and bottom-up is a simple question.

Is what I am doing right now furthering my top-down or bottom-up goals?

I should ask myself that question every 15 mins for the next year (that I am awake) so that is: 4 times per hour x 14 hours per day x 363 days left = 20,440 times per year.

I am going to be something so it might as well be a consistent course adjustment question.