Stephen Covey’s approach to planning—especially as outlined in _The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People_ and _First Things First_—leans heavily toward **Quarterly Planning** as being more effective than **Annual Planning** alone. Here’s how Covey views the two: ### 1. Annual Planning: Big Picture, But Limiting Covey recognizes the value of **annual planning** for setting long-term goals and identifying key priorities for the year. However, he cautions that **annual plans often fail** because: - Life is unpredictable; a rigid year-long plan can quickly become irrelevant. - It can lead to **“planning paralysis”**—focusing on what should happen over 12 months, but lacking adaptability. - Annual goals often drift into **“urgent” tasks**, losing connection to what is truly important. **Covey’s Take:** ✔ Use annual planning to **define your overall vision and long-term priorities**. ✘ Don’t rely on it for day-to-day or week-to-week effectiveness. ### 2. Quarterly Planning: Covey’s Preferred Approach Covey strongly advocates for **Quarterly Planning** as a more flexible and principle-centered way to stay on track with your values and goals. He emphasizes **a 90-day cycle** because: - **Life naturally moves in seasons**: Three months is a long enough period to see meaningful progress, but short enough to adapt as circumstances change. - **Flexibility:** You can **course-correct** every 90 days, rather than feeling locked into an annual plan that may become outdated. - **Focus on Priorities:** Each quarter allows you to **revisit your personal and professional roles**, ensuring you are focusing on **what’s most important** (Habit 3: **Put First Things First**). **Covey’s Take:** ✔ **Plan every 90 days** around your **roles and values**, setting a few key outcomes per quarter. ✔ Review quarterly goals regularly during **weekly planning** to stay on track. ### 3. How Covey Combines the Two Covey’s system isn’t **either/or**; it’s **both/and**, but with a focus on **quarterly adjustments**: - **Annually:** Set your **vision, mission, and long-term priorities**. - **Quarterly:** Identify **3-5 key goals** aligned with your roles and values. - **Weekly:** Plan your week based on your roles and “big rocks” (important priorities). - **Daily:** Adapt flexibly to the day’s demands while keeping your values in mind. ### 4. Key Covey Concepts to Apply: | **Timeframe** | **Focus** | **Covey Concept** | | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | | Annual | Vision, Long-term Priorities | “Begin with the End in Mind” (Habit 2) | | Quarterly (90 days) | Key Outcomes by Role (Family, Work, Health, etc.) | Roles & Goals Review | | Weekly | Big Rocks (Important but Not Urgent) | “Put First Things First” (Habit 3) | | Daily | Flexible Execution with Purpose | Daily Adaptability | ### 5. Covey’s View on Quarterly Planning—A Quote: _“We need to get out of the habit of planning for a perfect week or a perfect year. Instead, plan for a perfect quarter—balancing vision with the realities of life.”_ **Practical Tip:** When planning your quarter, ask: - What are the **most important things I want to accomplish in the next 90 days** in my key roles (e.g., Husband, Leader, Disciple, Health)? - How can I ensure **these goals align with my values and principles**?