A Simple Way to Get a Grip on Your Goals

You have probably heard the saying, What gets measured gets managed. But just setting big goals, like OKRs, is not enough. If you are not careful, those goals pile up, get stuck, or drift out of sight. Before long, you are wading through what I call the OKR swamp: lots of plans, not much progress.

A straightforward way to avoid this is to put all your goals on one visible board: a single place where the team can see what it is aiming for and how the work is going.

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Here are a few ways I have seen this work well. Instead of keeping each department’s goals hidden in separate documents, bring them together on the same board. It helps everyone understand not just their own priorities, but where those priorities overlap or clash.

Map out the journey each goal takes. Start with ideas you’re considering. Then move to goals you’re committed to, what you’re actively working on, and finally, where you step back to reflect on what worked. This rhythm keeps you from slipping into a “set it and forget it” habit.

Be honest about whether goals are really moving forward. For example, mark each goal as Red, Yellow, or Green. Start everything in Red, and only shift it forward when there’s real evidence of progress. This helps you focus on what’s stalled, rather than what’s flowing well.

Limit how many goals you’re working on at once. When everything’s a priority, nothing is.

Show who’s involved in each goal. If you notice the same people spread across too many commitments, that’s worth a conversation.

And remember, if your board starts looking too crowded or confusing, that is a signal. It means you might have too much in play or not enough clarity about what matters most.

Make it a habit to check this board when you review progress or think about new ideas. It’s a simple way to spark better conversations and keep your goals from sinking into the swamp.

How are you managing your goals? I would love to hear what has worked for you.