Are You Clear About What You Want?

Strategic clarity applies personally as well as professionally.

I've always believed that once you know what you want, it's just about creating a pathway to achieve it.

Even if I'm right, that doesn't make it easy.

Defining what success looks like can be the hardest part. Whether it's removing the ego from the equation, resisting the flattery of a particular option, the lure of power, money, glory, or stripping away societal expectations, truly defining what matters to you most is harder than it looks.

Then, it's becomes about the real of perceived risks of changing course - What if it doesn't work? What will people think? What if I lose my security?

To add another layer, our thoughts can actively get in the way - "I should be happy with what I have now/ I don't deserve it / It should be hard /What if I'm not good enough/What if I fail" sort of thinking.

Tactically speaking, the first things people consider are the number of work days per week, a certain position level, the type of work, a different role, the impact you want to make, the money required. It may also be the freedom you want to have to make choices, to be flexible in how you work, to enjoy your days, to focus on health, be with family, to travel often.

Yes we probably all want those things, but which do you want more than the other? There has to be a hierarchy.

Finally, it's a matter of structure, accountability, habits and operating models to move steadily towards it.

Of course it's not linear or perfect or easy, but it's definitely worthwhile.

If not now, when?