Strategy is Not Enough

When I’m talking with potential clients, we often talk about how they have this dream they’ve set out to accomplish. Maybe it’s a vision for what the world could look like or for the kind of work they want to do. For some people it’s about providing deep care for those practicing justice or making sure children have enough food to participate in school. For other folks it’s about creating spaces where families can get close to the natural world in approachable ways. Some want to design & build beautiful homes and others it’s about fostering creativity. I’m more than a little obsessed with sitting with an entrepreneur or founder, being captivated by their vision, and beginning to orchestrate the series of steps that can make it a reality. 

Strategy is defined as “a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result.” Strategy is what I love. But I’ve been reminded lately that strategy is just not enough. Do you see what strategy requires? A specific goal or result. I specialize in working with folks whose goal is more than money. What that goal is - now that’s up to you. But I can nearly guarantee that we cannot make a strategy until we know what your vision is. I cannot help you build a plan to get from today’s reality to your dream if you aren’t sure about what your dream is. And here’s the thing - please hear me say this clearly: IT’S FINE TO NOT BE SURE WHAT YOUR DREAM IS….Yet. It’s ok if it’s a little fuzzy. (Actually, that’s one of my primary goals with coaching.) But ☝️please please do not go investing your oh-so-precious time and money into strategy if you don’t yet have a clear vision. 

That “series of maneuvers” I develop with my clients almost always includes some annoying, difficult steps. Pretty much no one likes every single step of that journey. And when you find yourself annoyed with your stage in the journey, you’re going to need that vision: to keep you out of the weeds, to minimize your fear about the season you’re in, and to re-invite clarity around where you’re going.

If you’re not totally clear on that, here’s my first ever free guide - to getting your vision strategy ready.

If you use it, I’d love to hear what you think.