When gaining meaningful traction in your business, one EOS Tool turns ideas into action more consistently than any other: Rocks.
Rocks are the big priorities you commit to completing within a 90-Day World. But not every Rock delivers the same impact. If you’ve ever questioned what “done” truly means, or closed a quarter with a Rock still in motion, you’re not alone.
In this post, we’ll clarify what makes a Rock truly SMART and show you a practical way to build an action plan that gets it done.
What Is a Rock, Really?
Rocks are clear 90-day priorities that keep you and your team focused on what matters most. They’re big enough to move the needle, yet focused enough to be achievable within a quarter. Every 90 days, your leadership team sets new Rocks based on your 1-Year Plan, aligning everyone around the three to seven priorities that will make the greatest impact right now.
Because when everything is important, nothing is important. The discipline of setting Rocks helps your organization:
- Break your long-term vision into achievable 90-day goals
- Prioritize the work that truly drives progress
- Build focus, clarity, and accountability across the team
And it doesn’t stop at the leadership level. Departmental and individual Rocks should all ladder up to support the company’s top priorities, creating alignment from the top down..
But before you commit to your next Rock, ask yourself: What does “done” look like?
If you can’t answer clearly, your Rock needs work.
Download the Quarterly Rocks Tool.
Make Sure Your Rock Is SMART
Use this checklist to verify that your Rock is ready to be owned and completed:
- Specific: What exactly will you accomplish?
- Measurable: Are there clear numbers or milestones you can tie to the Rock?
- Achievable: Is it 80% likely you’ll get this done with focused effort? Do you have the resources?
- Relevant: Does this tie directly to your business’s most important objectives?
- Timely: Will it be completed by the end of the quarter?
When your Rocks check all five boxes, you’re not just setting goals — you’re gaining traction.
Rock Strategy: Define Your Milestones
Once you’ve clarified your Rock, it’s time to identify what could get in the way, and how you’ll stay ahead of it. Ask yourself and your team:
- What challenges or constraints could slow progress?
- If they arise, how will you respond or adapt?
- What can you do now to eliminate or minimize the risk?
This isn’t just about playing defense. It’s about staying proactive and accountable.
To make progress visible, break your Rock into three or four clear milestones. These checkpoints confirm that you’re on track—and help you course-correct before the quarter slips away. For each milestone, answer three questions:
- What do you need?
- From whom?
- By when?
Communicate these needs early and clearly. When ownership and deadlines are defined upfront, accountability follows naturally. If a milestone feels unclear or out of reach, simplify it. Fuzzy milestones lead to fuzzy execution.
Related Reading: Managing Your Rocks
Clarity Drives Execution
When your Rocks are SMART, aligned with your Vision, and broken into measurable milestones, everyone knows what success looks like and how to reach it.
Instead of chasing vague goals or reacting to shifting priorities, you gain a clear path forward—owned by the right people, measured every week, and anchored in your 90-Day World. That’s how companies running on EOS gain traction: by turning clarity into consistent execution, one quarter at a time..
Ready to Get More Out of Your Rocks?
Working with an EOS Implementer takes the guesswork out of setting and completing Rocks. You’ll gain tools, structure, and accountability to follow through, quarter after quarter, so your business can run with greater focus and alignment. Find an Implementer to start gaining traction today.
