In this Productivity like a Pro Podcast Episode by the Paperless Movement®, Tom Solid and Paco Cantero dive deep into the importance of Quarterly Planning and how it plays a pivotal role in achieving long-term success without falling into the chaos of yearly goals. In just under an hour, they walked through their own Quarterly Review process, shared actionable insights, and reflected on how to maintain clarity and focus amid a sea of ideas and distractions.
Why Quarterly Planning Trumps Yearly Goals
Tom explains that the ICOR® Planning Methodology avoids traditional yearly planning in favor of a more agile system that focuses on Quarterly, Weekly, and Daily Planning. Even in corporate environments that require long-term strategies, breaking down yearly goals into 90-day sprints ensures better prioritization, execution, and adaptability.
Setting quarterly limits forces professionals to confront what can realistically be achieved. This mindset shift brings urgency, focus, and a higher chance of success—preventing the all-too-common end-of-year scramble to meet forgotten objectives.
Using the Idea Incubator to Stay Focused
A key part of their planning process involves the “Idea Incubator”—a dedicated space to store and evaluate ideas over time. Paco emphasizes that not every idea deserves immediate action, and time helps reveal which concepts are worth pursuing and which should be discarded.
This system prevents chasing distractions and allows the team to focus on already well-formed goals from the previous quarter. It helps maintain momentum and avoid unnecessary shifts in direction, which often lead to frustration and failure.
From Big Picture to Daily Execution
Paco stresses the importance of aligning Quarterly Goals with Weekly and Daily actions. By breaking down strategic initiatives into manageable tasks, professionals can make consistent progress without feeling overwhelmed. He also underscores the power of humility—setting fewer, more meaningful goals and accomplishing them fully rather than spreading efforts too thin.
This reflection time is a chance to think clearly, challenge assumptions, and reconnect with purpose. It’s in these moments, Paco notes, that clarity emerges, decisions become stronger, and productivity becomes sustainable.
Planning Even the Improvements
Tom highlights that even system improvements—like migrating email providers or switching Project Management tools—need to be treated as planned projects. Without structure, these changes can disrupt workflows and hinder productivity. He explains how the Paperless Movement® helps members build an end-to-end system by teaching essential areas like Digital Note-Taking, Personal Knowledge Management, Task Management, and Project Management.
If you’re unhappy with your current productivity setup, that dissatisfaction should trigger a structured improvement project, not random tool-hopping.
The Power of Thoughtful Execution
Both Tom and Paco reflect on the need to pause and think deeply—something often lost in today’s fast-paced, AI-driven world. Success isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing the right things, at the right time, with full intention. They advocate for high-quality output over high quantity and demonstrate how saying “no” to distractions clears the way for meaningful work.
Want to master your productivity system from top to bottom? Join the Paperless Movement® Membership where you’ll get access to comprehensive courses on Note-Taking, Personal Knowledge Management, Task Management, and Project Management. Learn how to plan, focus, and execute like a pro with the ICOR® Framework.
