Some goals are bigger than a quarter or even a year. They’re the dreams you whisper about on a beach at sunset. Scaling Up gives those dreams a home.
Scaling Up is the growth methodology Verne Harnish shares in his book of the same name, building on his famous Rockefeller Habits. It helps companies grow by getting four things right: People, Strategy, Execution and Cash. Guess what? Those four decisions shape a great life, too.
The four decisions, made personal
| Scaling Up decision | At work | In your life |
|---|---|---|
| People | Hiring and keeping the right team | Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up |
| Strategy | Choosing where to play and how to win | Deciding what you’ll say yes (and no) to |
| Execution | Priorities, metrics and meeting rhythms | Daily habits, weekly reviews, quarterly goals |
| Cash | Fueling growth without running dry | Financial stability that gives you freedom |
Dream big with a BHAG
A BHAG is a Big Hairy Audacious Goal, a 10 to 25 year target so bold it’s a little scary. Companies use one to rally everyone around a shared future. Yours might be “Own a home by the water,” “Launch a foundation for kids in my city” or “Visit every continent with my family.” Write it down. Say it out loud. It changes how you make decisions today.
Know your core values
Great companies hire, fire and decide based on core values. Pick three to five values that describe you at your best. Integrity? Adventure? Generosity? They become your filter. When an opportunity doesn’t match your values, it’s an easy no.
Build your one-page personal plan
Scaling Up is famous for the One-Page Strategic Plan. Here’s a personal version you can sketch in an afternoon:
- Core values: three to five words that define you
- Purpose: why you do what you do
- BHAG: your 10 to 25 year dream
- 3-year picture: what life looks like when you’re on track
- 1-year goals: three to five measurable wins across Body, Mind, Spirit, Connection and Stability
- Quarterly priorities: the three things that matter most right now
- Rhythm: daily intentions, a weekly review and a quarterly reflection
Companies scale with discipline and rhythm. So can you.
Keep the rhythm going
Scaling Up teams rely on a steady cadence of daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly check-ins. Try a two-minute morning intention, a Sunday review and a quarterly reflection. And once a year? Plan something special. A few days away, maybe even a WAVES retreat, to look back, celebrate and dream even bigger.
Ready to build your own plan? Let’s connect! We’ll start with a Discovery Session and map your first move together.
Leave a comment