Week 5: Course Correction

You've spent a week finding your rhythm and settling into your new routines. Now, as you reach the one-month mark of your 12-week journey, it's time for a crucial step in the DRX process: course correction. This week is all about fine-tuning your approach based on real-world experience and data.

The Importance of Course Correction in the DRX Journey

In any journey of transformation, the path is rarely straight. Course correction is not a sign of failure; it's a testament to your commitment to growth and improvement. It's about being responsive to your experiences and agile in your approach.

Think of course correction like adjusting the sails on a ship. Even if you're off by just a few degrees, over a long journey, that small misalignment can lead you far from your intended destination. Regular adjustments keep you on track towards your goals.

Reviewing Your Progress: Analyzing Lead and Lag Measures

Let's start by taking a close look at your scoreboard. Remember the lead and lag measures you set up in your 12-week plan? Now's the time to analyze them in depth.

  1. Review Your Lag Measures:

    • Are you seeing movement towards your goals?
    • If progress is slower than expected, don't be discouraged. Lag measures often take time to show significant change.

  2. Examine Your Lead Measures:

    • How consistently have you been hitting your lead measure targets?
    • Is there a correlation between your lead measure performance and any changes in your lag measures?

For example, if your goal was to lose weight:

Analyze each lead measure. Perhaps you've been consistent with workouts but struggled with the meal plan. This insight is valuable for your course correction.

Identifying Areas for Improvement

Based on your analysis, identify specific areas that need adjustment. Be honest with yourself, but also compassionate. The goal is improvement, not perfection.

Consider:

  1. Which lead measures have been most challenging to meet?
  2. Are there any patterns to when you struggle (e.g., weekends, mornings)?
  3. Have any unexpected obstacles emerged?
  4. Are there any lead measures that don't seem to be driving the expected results?

Applying the 5-Whys Technique to Obstacles

For any significant obstacles or shortfalls you've identified, let's apply our trusty 5-Whys technique. This will help us get to the root cause of the issue.

For example:

  1. Why have I been skipping my evening workouts?
    • Because I'm too tired after work.
  2. Why am I too tired after work?
    • Because I'm not sleeping well at night.
  3. Why am I not sleeping well?
    • Because I'm stressed about work and checking emails late at night.
  4. Why am I checking emails late at night?
    • Because I feel pressured to always be available.
  5. Why do I feel this pressure?
    • Because I haven't set clear boundaries between work and personal time.

This analysis reveals that the real issue isn't laziness or lack of motivation, but a need for better work-life boundaries and stress management.

Strategies for Making Effective Adjustments

Now that you've identified areas for improvement and their root causes, it's time to make adjustments. Here are some strategies:

  1. Refine Your Lead Measures: If a lead measure isn't driving results or is consistently unachievable, consider adjusting it or replacing it with a more effective one.

  2. Adjust Your Environment: Based on your 5-Whys analysis, look for environmental changes that could support your goals. In our example, this might mean setting up a "do not disturb" mode on your phone after a certain hour.

  3. Reallocate Resources: If one area is taking up too much energy at the expense of others, consider how you can rebalance your efforts.

  4. Seek Additional Support: If you're consistently struggling in a particular area, consider what additional resources or support you might need.

  5. Break Down Barriers: For each obstacle you've identified, brainstorm at least three possible solutions.

Balancing Consistency with Flexibility

As you make adjustments, it's important to strike a balance between consistency and flexibility. The power of the DRX approach comes from sustained, consistent effort. However, this doesn't mean rigidly sticking to a plan that isn't working.

Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. Small, sustainable adjustments are often more effective than drastic overhauls.

Preparing for Habit Reinforcement in Week 6

As we look ahead to next week's focus on habit formation, use this course correction to set yourself up for success:

  1. Identify which new behaviors you want to cement as habits.
  2. Consider how your adjustments this week can support these habit-formation efforts.
  3. Reflect on which parts of your routine already feel more automatic and which still require conscious effort.

For your homework this week:

  1. Conduct a thorough review of your lead and lag measures.
  2. Apply the 5-Whys technique to at least two obstacles you've encountered.
  3. Make at least three specific adjustments to your plan based on your analysis.
  4. Update your scoreboard to reflect any changes in your measures or targets.
  5. Write a brief reflection on what you've learned about yourself and your goals during this course correction process.

Remember, course correction is a skill that improves with practice. Each time you go through this process, you're not just improving your current plan – you're getting better at the overall skill of personal development. This agility and self-awareness will serve you well beyond this 12-week journey.

As we move into Week 6, carry forward the insights you've gained this week. Your ability to adjust and refine your approach will be crucial as we go deeper into the power of habit in driving lasting change.