The Hidden Discipline of Strategy

Have you ever developed a business strategy with no consultation, no insights, no data, no deliberation, no debate, no refinement? I hope not!

It follows that you can’t be strategic as an individual, without exploration, creative thought, consideration, discussion and planning.

This feels slow. I get it. I am someone that wants everything to happen yesterday.

But I've had to personally re-learn over and over again, that it takes slowing down, to strategically speed up. To expand before planning. To create before clarity. To think before doing. To align before action.

It’s critical to build space into your days to free up mental space for this. It's both the greatest challenge, and greatest opportunity for high achievers.

Tactically, this may mean only booking a maximum of 70% of your time. Leaving some space for chance and possibility. It may mean not hyper scheduling yourself. Creating micro moments every day for time to think and let your brain wander. Or, it may mean having a non-meeting day, or working from home without interruption now and then, or scheduling meetings with yourself.

What it means in practice will be up to you, but it’s essential in order to be strategic. I also believe that’s it’s critical for health and happiness.

Do you agree?