We all know that if we don’t take new actions, we cannot get new results and if we don’t create new habits, we can’t sustain those results. RAFT makes it easier to do both.
In our experiments helping clients drive personal and organizational change Andrea Konuma and I noticed that there didn’t seem to be an easy-to-use model around that people could use to “nudge” themselves to continue taking the actions to realize a future in which they were well, they had strong relationships with the people around them and they were in the right state of mind and body to deliver for their teams, clients and organizations.
In the face of an unending stream of demands from OTHERS to produce something for them TODAY, it was just too difficult for most people to remember to do the things that they knew would benefit themselves, the other people in their lives and their organizations TOMORROW.
RAFT helps people make (just a little) time and space EVERYDAY to focus on the things they can do TODAY to be happier, healthier and in the right condition to care for those around them and contribute more at work TODAY and TOMORROW.
You build a RAFT by asking yourself 4 kinds of questions:
ROUTINES – What are the actions I can take on a regular basis that I know put me into the right physical and mental state to be there for myself, for those I care about and those who depend on me at work? Where can I insert these actions in my schedule so that eventually I do them without even thinking twice about it?
ANCHORS – Who or what do I care about most? Who do I care about so much (e.g. family, friends, clients, co-workers) that anytime I come back to think about them I remember WHY I need to be in the best possible state to be there for them? What values or priorities are so important to me that when I think about them I remember WHY I need to be in the best possible state to realize them?
FRAMES – What perspectives will help me see the highest priority elements in my current challenge AND not be overly distracted by all of the other noise in my life and work? What questions or statements can I use to remind myself to come back to those perspectives every day?
TRIGGERS – What do I know about the exterior (environmental) and internal (mental) cues that PRIME me to be in the best mental and physical state for the tasks I need to focus on right now? Are there places where it is easier for me to focus? Are there phrases or images that pull me toward that ideal mental and physical state? How do I need to arrange my routines and schedule to ensure that I encounter these TRIGGERS EVERY DAY AND WHEN I NEED THEM MOST?
Some find that they only need one element of RAFT (e.g. routines) to be at their best. Others find that one element (e.g. anchors) is their launch pad; when they remember that element the rest comes together to drive repeated action.
Each person builds (and re-builds) their RAFT from their ongoing experiences and evolving vision of their future selves.
© Dana Cogan, 2025, all rights reserved.