The 12-Week Year: Why Quarterly Planning Outshines Annual Planning

Annual planning sounds great in theory, right? But let’s be honest — how often do you find yourself scrambling at the end of the year, wondering why you didn’t hit half the goals you set in January?

That’s where quarterly planning comes in — aka The 12-Week Year. By breaking your big goals into smaller 90-day cycles, you’ll stay laser-focused, measure your progress, and actually get things done.

I’m going to show you why this strategy works and how you can use it to take your business to the next level.

What is The 12-Week Year?
 

I first read The 12-Week Year when I was starting my very first business, and let me tell you — it changed the game for how I tackled big goals and projects.

The idea is simple but powerful: condense your goals into 12-week cycles, track both your inputs and outcomes, and treat each quarter like a full year.

What I loved most about the book was how actionable it felt. I even started a book club with my business friends so we could read it together and brainstorm how to apply the concepts in our own businesses.

To this day, I’ve pulled strategies from The 12-Week Year into my own Structure to Scale framework, and it’s been a cornerstone for how I plan my business — and how I help my clients plan theirs.

Why the 12-Week Year Works
 

The 12-Week Year isn’t just about getting more done in less time — it’s about focusing on the right things.

Here’s why it works:

1️⃣ It creates urgency: When you treat 12 weeks like a full year, there’s no time to procrastinate. It keeps you focused and motivated.
2️⃣ It’s manageable: A year can feel overwhelming, but 90 days is long enough to accomplish something meaningful without feeling impossible.
3️⃣ It tracks inputs and outcomes: The beauty of this method is that you’re not just chasing results; you’re tracking the actions that lead to them.

This approach gives you the structure you need to turn your vision into results — without overwhelming yourself in the process.

How It Works
 

Here’s how to break it down:

1️⃣ Start with your big-picture vision. What’s your long-term goal? What does success look like for you down the road?
2️⃣ Break that vision into a 90-day focus. What’s the ONE thing you can accomplish in the next 90 days to move closer to that vision?
3️⃣ Weekly, check your progress and adjust. Look at your numbers, your goals, and your plan. Are you on track? What needs to change?
4️⃣ Daily, execute and track your actions. Focus on the inputs — basically, the activities that’ll drive the outcomes you want.

Real-World Example
 

Back in my COO days, we used this same approach with our EOS/Traction coach, and with Traction, the big 90-day goals are called Rocks.

Every quarter, the leadership team — our CEO, CFO, CMO, and I — would take a day offsite to review the previous 90 days and plan for the next. We tackled big issues like launching new offers, restructuring the team, or ways to improve cash flow.

Then every week, we’d meet for 90 minutes to check our scorecard, review progress, and address any challenges head-on. It wasn’t always glamorous, but it kept us moving forward and aligned as a team.

Trust me, when you commit to planning in 90-day cycles, it’s a total game-changer.

How to Start Your 12-Week Year
 

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, here’s how to get started with your first 12-Week Year:
 

1️⃣ Pick ONE major goal. Don’t overcomplicate it—what’s the most impactful thing you can achieve in the next 90 days?
2️⃣ Set clear KPIs to measure your progress. What does success look like at the end of 12 weeks? How much money did you make? How many new people entered your world?
3️⃣ Plan your weekly actions. Break your goal into bite-sized tasks and hold yourself accountable.

And if you need help getting started, my Plug-and-Play Systems Kit has everything you need to create a scalable, streamlined business — including templates for quarterly planning.

If you’re ready to ditch annual planning and make the next 12 weeks your most productive yet? Drop a comment below with your biggest 90-day goal—I’d love to hear it!