How do you align and track your career goals with the OKR method?

1 Step 1: Define your objectives

The first step is to define your objectives, which are the outcomes or results that you want to achieve in your career. Your objectives should be ambitious, inspiring, and aligned with your values and purpose. They should also be aligned with the objectives of your organization, team, or project, so that you can contribute to their success and growth. You can have one or more objectives, depending on the scope and time frame of your career plan. For example, your objective could be to become a senior manager, to launch a new product, or to improve your skills in a certain area.

2 Step 2: Set your key results

The second step is to set your key results, which are the indicators or metrics that you will use to measure your progress and performance towards your objectives. Your key results should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They should also be challenging, but not impossible, to motivate you to stretch yourself and learn from feedback. You can have two to five key results for each objective, depending on the complexity and importance of your goal. For example, your key results could be to increase your sales by 20%, to complete a certification course, or to receive positive feedback from your clients.

3 Step 3: Track and review your OKRs

The third step is to track and review your OKRs, which are the tools that you will use to monitor and evaluate your progress and performance. You should track your OKRs regularly, ideally on a weekly or monthly basis, depending on the nature and duration of your goals. You should use a simple and transparent system, such as a spreadsheet or an app, to record and update your key results. You should also review your OKRs periodically, ideally on a quarterly or yearly basis, depending on the level and scope of your goals. You should use a rating scale, such as 0 to 1 or 0 to 100%, to assess how well you have achieved your key results.

4 Step 4: Adjust and improve your OKRs

The fourth and final step is to adjust and improve your OKRs, which are the actions that you will take to optimize and enhance your progress and performance. You should adjust your OKRs based on the results and feedback that you have obtained from tracking and reviewing them. You should also improve your OKRs based on the lessons and insights that you have learned from your successes and failures. You should make changes that are relevant, realistic, and responsive to your current situation and future aspirations. You should also communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders, such as your manager, mentor, or peers, to align and support your OKRs.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?