Source: Getting Things Done
Published: January 2011

Horizons of Focus

Circulated: June 24, 2020

The Horizons of Focus is a framework for aligning your daily actions with your long-term visions and goals.

Horizon 5: Purpose and Principles

• Answer the question, “why are we doing this?”

• Think a team off-site meeting

Horizon 4: Vision

• Define what it will look, sound, feel like with successful implementation

• Focus on long-term outcomes and ideal scenarios

• Think a 6-page PR/FAQ

Horizon 3: Goals

• What needs to be accomplished within 12 months to make the vision happen

• Think annual planning with quarterly recalibration

Horizon 2: Areas of accountability

• Spheres of work required to move forward

• Think organization charts and defined responsibilities (e.g., RACI)

Horizon 1: Projects

• Deliverables that we want to achieve in less than 12 months

• Think project plan and weekly business reviews

Ground: Actions on your calendar

• A single task that is part of a project

• Think of an item on your to-do list