Direction

How and when to use this phase

This phase should be revisited every 90 days or whenever the business changes meaningfully, not just when things feel “off”. Schedule a 2 hour time block each quarter to review this phase. This ensures alignment of vision and strategy.

Refer to Direction when:

• your focus feels scattered

• everything feels important

• decision fatigue is increasing

• the business has shifted

• you’re carrying too much

Direction should be revisited:

• at the start of a new phase

• before hiring or expanding scope

• when opportunities increase faster than capacity

• when execution feels busy but unfocused

Step by step process:

Step 1: Define your current focus

Clarify the core outcome you are working toward in the next period.

Questions to consider:

• What outcome matters most right now?

• What stage of business am I in?

• What would meaningful progress actually look like?

Output:
A clear focus statement.

Step 2: Run the Stop / Start / Continue review

Use this exercise to remove friction and identify adjustments.

Ask yourself:

Stop

• What is creating unnecessary complexity?

• What is no longer aligned?

Start

• What would materially improve progress?

Continue

• What is already working and needs protecting?

Output:
A small set of changes that improve alignment.

Step 3: Capture ideas

During the process, new ideas will emerge.

Instead of acting on them immediately, record them in the Direction Backlog.

This ensures good ideas are captured without disrupting focus.

Step 4: Identify your key priorities

From the reflection exercise, select:

• 1–3 key priorities

• a small number of supporting actions

These become your focus until the next review cycle.

Step 5: Schedule a review

Direction is not permanent.

Plan to revisit this phase:

• monthly

• quarterly

• when major changes occur

Take the time to schedule this into your calendar in advance.