By Greg Woleck, Remodelers Advantage
You’ve been there. You walk out of a conference session buzzing with ideas. The speaker just shared a brilliant strategy for streamlining production schedules, and you’re ready to hit the ground running.
Then Monday morning arrives. Emails pile up. A client demands a last-minute change. That stack of ideas you were so excited about starts sliding lower on your to-do list until it’s buried entirely.
At Remodelers Advantage, we see this all the time. It’s why we don’t just set goals—we make commitments.
"A goal is something you aim for. A commitment is something you own."
That shift in thinking changes everything.
Making Goals SMARTER
In our Tactical Roundtables—peer groups for production and design managers—we work with members to turn vague intentions into actionable, measurable commitments using the SMARTER framework. You’ve probably heard of SMART goals, but we add an extra “R” for resources, because a plan without the right tools, budget, or authority is doomed from the start.
The process begins with being specific. “Improve scheduling” isn’t enough; “Ensure every lead carpenter submits a three-week lookahead by Friday at 3 p.m.” is clear and actionable. Measurability comes next—if you can’t track progress, you can’t manage it. Commitments must also be achievable, meaning within your control, and relevant, directly tied to your role and responsibilities. They should be time-bound to create urgency, and backed by the resources you need to succeed.
Even the strongest commitment can stall if it feels overwhelming. The key is to break it down into smaller steps. If the commitment is to launch a new pre-construction checklist in Q2, you might spend the first week researching existing checklists, the second drafting your own, weeks three and four gathering feedback, week five implementing, and the next several weeks refining.
“Small, steady wins create momentum—and momentum creates results.”
Urgency is just as important as structure. Without it, commitments become “someday” projects. We build urgency by linking commitments to real pain points, setting early milestones so work begins right away, and sharing them publicly for built-in accountability. When other people know what you’re working on, you’re far more likely to follow through.
The Power of Micro Boards
This is where Micro Boards come in. A Micro Board is a small, focused accountability group within a larger peer network. Think of it as your personal board of advisors—people who understand your role, check in on your progress, help troubleshoot challenges, and push you to take the next step. They also celebrate your wins, which is just as important as tackling obstacles.
Between full peer group meetings, life gets busy. Urgent issues can crowd out important commitments. Micro Boards bridge that gap, keeping conversations alive, offering quick feedback, and holding members accountable for incremental progress. They don’t just help you set commitments—they help you keep them.
The beauty of this approach is that it works anywhere, in any industry. All you need is a small group of trusted peers, a commitment framed with the SMARTER principles, and a shared agreement to check in regularly. Done consistently, this turns “I want to” into “I did.”
“Commitments aren’t just about what you plan to do. They’re about what you will do.”
Your Next Step
Before your next meeting with your team or accountability partners, decide on one specific commitment. Make it measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, and supported by the resources you need. Break it into a first step you can take today. Then share it with someone who will hold you to it.
Because in the end, success doesn’t come from the goals we set. It comes from the commitments we keep—and the people who help us see them through.
If you’re ready to experience the power of commitments and Micro Boards firsthand, join one of our Remodelers Advantage peer groups. Whether you’re a production manager, design manager, or company owner, we have a network that will push you, support you, and celebrate your wins.
Visit remodelersadvantage.com/membership or email me directly at greg@remodelersadvantage.com to learn more.