The Purpose

Get clear on how to set action-oriented priorities that drive results in just 13 weeks.

The Background

Let’s face it—goal setting is a mess for most people.

Too big, too vague, or too short-term to matter.

What if instead, we treated priorities like seasonal produce—picked fresh, used intentionally, and gone by the time the next wave hits?

After working with over 100 companies, I’ve seen the chaos that comes from chasing weekly whims.

People confuse goals (outcomes) with priorities (actions).

And it’s no wonder—no one ever taught us the difference.

In this post, you’ll learn how to anchor your business growth in a clear set of 13-week priorities to increase the numbers on your Growth Scorecard.

The Ingredients

• The Growth Scorecard (grab yours at score.yourmdm.co)

• The list of 50 Priorities by Recipe - link below

• A 13-week mindset (think of this as your business sprint cycle)

• A digital or paper tool to track your priorities

• Optional: your favorite spritz to get the creative juices flowin’

The Steps to Implement

1. Define the Finish Line

Look at your Growth Scorecard. Ask yourself: Where do I want to be 13 weeks from today? What numbers must move to close the gap between where I am and where I want to be?

2. Choose the Right Recipe(s)

Use the Five Recipes to guide your focus:

• Transformation: Improve your offer or delivery

• Connection: Build your audience or sales funnel

• Communication: Clarify your message or visibility

• Organization: Clean up systems, streamline ops

• Actualization: Lead better, delegate smarter, scale culture

3. Select 3 Priorities (Max)

Choose action-oriented initiatives you can execute in 13 weeks.

These aren’t vague outcomes like “grow revenue”—they’re commitments like “write 10 blogs,” “launch 1 new landing page,” or “host 3 events.”

Use our 50 Priorities by Recipe list to make it easier.

4. Break Priorities Into Projects and Activities

Each priority should feed into 1–2 projects, each with 5–10 tasks. That’s your actual weekly workload.

5. Lock in the First Week

Block time on your calendar to start your top-priority project. Start with momentum—not a mountain.

Preparation Notes

• Mindset Shift: Priorities are not results—they are actions. Stay focused on what you can control.

• Avoid This Pitfall: Don’t change priorities weekly. It’s tempting, but exhausting. Stick with your 13-week arc.

• Pro Tip: Want feedback on your three priorities? Email them to hello@yourmdm.co and we’ll help you sharpen your focus.