HigHER Self CEO: MoSCoW
Clarify Priorities
MoSCoW is a popular tool in project management. It maps out priorities to define a minimal viable product, categorised as Must Haves, Should Haves, Could Haves and Won’t Haves.
And since we’re humans and can only do as much as our capacity allows, we love prioritising steps and goals in life coaching. Because sustainable success comes from introducing changes incrementally and keeping them up. An “all or nothing” mentally is a pitfall to many of us, including me in the past.
Applying MoSCoW
As already mentioned MoSCoW is an acronym to help prioritisation. Think of your next-level self as a project, and you are the CEO hiring the project manager. Your resources (time, energy, attention) are limited. MoSCoW helps you allocate them wisely. What would be the assignment and deliverables of the project manager?
Go back and look are you Porter Diamond. Which areas did you highlight? Which one do you want to tackle first? Then think about how you can achieve them. Categorise the actions into :
- Musts: What are your non-negotiables for identity alignment?
These are the actions that move you toward your upgraded self.
Examples: Daily habits that reinforce new traits, pursuing your dream clients, investing in health. - Shoulds Haves: What are supportive actions that enhance growth but aren’t make-or-break?
Examples: Networking events, optional learning courses, side projects. - Coulds: What are bonus actions that are enjoyable or inspiring but won’t derail your progress if skipped?
Examples: Hobby projects, social events that feel “fun but optional.” - Won’ts: What are actions that drain energy, distract, or don’t align with your next-level self?
Examples: Time-wasting apps, unnecessary obligations, tasks that feel like “shoulds” but don’t actually matter.
The key of this exercise is to decide on the things you won’t do unless your capacity allows it. It gives you focus and freedom from all the “shoulds” that are only a distraction and ease decision fatigue.