A planner is more than just a tool for organizing appointments and tasks—it can be a strategic ally in helping you achieve your most important goals. When combined with the 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX), your planner becomes a powerful system to drive focused action, track meaningful progress, and stay accountable week after week.
In this article, you’ll learn how to structure and use your planner based on the 4DX method to improve your productivity and goal achievement.
Why Use a 4DX-Based Planner?
Most planners help you keep track of tasks, but they rarely help you execute strategic goals. A 4DX-based planner helps you:
- Focus on one goal that matters most (WIG)
- Plan and execute lead measures consistently
- Track your progress with visual cues
- Reflect and recommit weekly
Instead of just being busy, you’ll be intentional.
Step 1: Define Your Wildly Important Goal (WIG)
The foundation of your planner should be your Wildly Important Goal—the one result that will make the biggest impact in the next few months.
How to include it in your planner:
- Write your WIG on the inside cover or first page
- Use the format: “From X to Y by [date]”
- Example: “Grow email list from 500 to 1,500 by November 30”
Keep this goal visible every time you open your planner.
Step 2: Identify and Plan Your Lead Measures
Your lead measures are the specific actions you’ll take to drive progress toward your WIG.
How to use your planner:
- At the start of each week, list your lead measures
- Schedule blocks of time for each one throughout the week
- Example: “Write 3 email campaigns this week” → Plan sessions on Mon, Wed, and Fri
Treat these time blocks as non-negotiable commitments.
Step 3: Create a Weekly Scoreboard Section
You don’t need a fancy digital dashboard—just a dedicated part of your planner where you can track what you did.
Ideas for your scoreboard:
- Checkboxes for each completed lead measure
- A visual progress bar for your WIG
- Weekly summaries of lag measures (e.g., new subscribers, words written)
Why this helps: Seeing your progress builds momentum and boosts motivation.
Step 4: Build in Weekly Accountability Check-Ins
Once a week, review your planner and answer:
- What lead measures did I complete?
- What worked well?
- What didn’t go as planned?
- What will I commit to next week?
Use a separate page or section for weekly reflection and new commitments.
Even if you’re working solo, this rhythm keeps your goals alive and actionable.
What to Include in Your 4DX-Based Planner
To make your planner truly 4DX-friendly, include the following sections:
- WIG Overview: One page with your goal, timeline, and reason “why”
- Weekly Lead Measures: Planned and tracked each week
- Scoreboard: Simple visual section showing progress
- Weekly Reflection: Notes on what happened and what’s next
- Monthly Check-in (optional): Evaluate overall progress and make adjustments
You can create this setup in a paper planner, bullet journal, or digital notebook like GoodNotes or Notion.
Example: Planner in Action
WIG: Launch a digital course by December 15
Lead Measures: Write scripts, record lessons, post teaser content
Weekly Plan:
- Monday: Write script for Module 1
- Wednesday: Record video for Module 1
- Friday: Post teaser on Instagram
- Sunday: Reflect and plan next steps
Scoreboard:
- ✅ Script written
- ✅ Video recorded
- ⬜ Teaser post pending
Reflection:
“Had trouble staying focused Wednesday—will block earlier time next week.”
Pro Tips for Success
- Use color coding for WIG-related tasks
- Set reminders to update your scoreboard
- Keep your planner open and visible on your desk
- Reward yourself when you hit weekly targets
- Revisit your WIG often to stay emotionally connected
Final Thought: Let Your Planner Be a Strategy Tool
Your planner can be more than a to-do list—it can be your execution system. When guided by the 4 Disciplines of Execution, your planner becomes a place to set strategy, take action, measure progress, and stay committed.
Start this week by setting one WIG, planning your lead measures, and tracking them daily. Small steps, big wins.