From “Genie Goal” to Weekly Game Plan

In our first newsletter of 2026, I asked you a simple but powerful question:

“What would you do if you knew you wouldn’t fail?”

You identified your Genie Goal—that why-based, heart-level outcome/goal that would be enthusiastic and rewarding, not just impressive.

Today, I want to help you take the next step: turning that Genie Goal into a simple, practical weekly game plan.

I often tell the leaders I coach: Clarity creates focus. Focus creates movement. Movement creates momentum.

1. Bring Your Genie Goal Back Into View

First, pull out your Genie Goal (if you haven’t written it down yet, now is the time).

• What did you say you’d pursue if you knew you wouldn’t fail?
• Why does it matter to you this year, in this season of your career or life? (It’s OK to go deep!)

Write your Genie Goal in one sentence at the top of a page.

Now ask: “If this were guaranteed to succeed, how would I behave differently this week?”

That question moves you from wishful thinking to intentional action. This is more than self-affirmation and feel-good statements.

2. Apply the Power of One

Through both my companies (Kison and Growth Through Learning), I use a simple idea I call the Power of One.

“You don’t need ten new habits. You need one habit done consistently, for the right reason, with dedication and persistence.”

For your Genie Goal, identify:

1. One weekly commitment
2. One daily micro-action

It doesn’t have to be heroic. It just must be repeatable. Keep it simple!

3. Put it on the Calendar (Not Just in Your Head)

Here’s where most resolutions fall apart: they stay in our imagination, hopes, dreams, and aspirations, but not in our schedule.

I learned this truth many years ago, and frankly, I was surprised by the power of writing things down and blocking off time in my calendar. Again, this works if you do it.

This week:

• Pick one specific time block for your weekly Genie Goal work.
• Protect it like you would an important client meeting. Because in many ways, it is a client meeting, YOUARE the client!

“If it isn’t on your calendar, it’s just a hope, and hope’s cousin is procrastination.”

4. Use a Simple Growth Through Learning Check-In

Apply a light version of the SMARTER framework you saw in the January 1st newsletter and ask yourself once a week:

1. S – Specific: What exactly did I do for my Genie Goal this week? Be honest, no self-deception.
2. M – Measurable: Can I point to 1–3 concrete actions (real stuff you did that you could verify if I called and asked you to tell me what you did)?
3. A/R – Attainable & Realistic: Did I set myself up to win, or did I overcommit?
4. T – Timeframe: Did I honour the time I blocked (was this a Quadrant 2 activity? Check back on my newsletter next week, February 2nd, when I present the Priority Matrix and explain this concept)?
5. E/R – Enthusiastic & Rewarding: After doing the work, do I feel more energized, aligned with my high-level goals, and confident to take even bigger steps?

This doesn’t need to take more than 5 minutes. Journaling a few lines is enough to keep yourself honest.

5. Invite Gentle Accountability (Or Direct Candid Feedback if That Is More Your Style)

Goals grow faster in a community.

• Share your Genie Goal and your one weekly commitment with a trusted colleague, friend, coach, or mentor.
• Ask them: “Would you be willing to ask me once a week how it’s going?”
• Consider pairing this with the Priority Management Program on Growth Through Learning Academy so you’re not just inspired, you’re equipped. If you want to take advantage of this offer, please contact us by email at ralph@kison.com.

If you already have a coach or accountability partner, send them this. Or personalize it:

“Here’s my Genie Goal and the one weekly habit I’m committing to. Can you help me stay accountable to this for the next 90 days?”

Reflection Questions for This Week

1. What’s one small, repeatable action I can take for my Genie Goal this week (I said “small” – don’t try to boil the ocean; do one small, yet important task that you can complete and feel good about)?
2. Where will it live in my calendar?
3. Who will I invite into the conversation so I’m not doing this alone (a.k.a accountability partner)?

Remember: big change rarely comes from big moments. It comes from small, honest commitments repeated over time.

“Momentum is simply consistency over time, pointed in the right direction.”

You’ve named your Genie Goal. Now let’s build the steady rhythm that will carry you toward it.

P.S. Come join me for my upcoming Engineers and Geoscientists BC monthly webinars from February to April on business development and sales skills! Click here to register and for more details.

P.P.S. Will you be in Vancouver on March 24? Join me for a rare in-person Engineers and Geoscientists BC workshop on business development and sales mastery. Click here to register and for more details.