Strategy

Most of us go from activity to activity in life. We do what is on our calendar as best as possible. We make new appointments and fill up our time. Often we leave the weekend free to relax. Is this effective?


John C Maxwell in his book the 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth has a whole 'Law of Design' based around the idea of strategy. A personal, Life Strategy. One that includes your career AND your personal development, family, life goals and intentional growth. The depth to which we go into this though can really determine our present and future success. John also says that our Daily Routines have to support this strategy and we must take effective action. But in small ways. Let's explore this more.


In my first article for this year, I discussed making a New Year's Evolution. Making a small changes in your current life and schedule. Not massive changes but continuing what is working well, stopping what doesn't support you now for 2018 and seeing what you improve, adapt or make better for the future. To do this though we need a strategy. We must also begin with the end in mind.


What does the end look like?
Often at times in my life, I have found myself feeling more anxious, almost panicked, when I cannot vision the end, or the way to the end. Without an idea of what my end looks like, I cannot see the way forward. I recognise this in small things, about my day, how I see myself and certainly in the development I want to see for myself. Where am I going? Does my work and life support this end or not? Am I developing toward my end in mind.
For now, I can see myself as a successful Trainer. Strengthening all my activities to support this goal. Building my capacities and experience each day, by seeing all training I deliver as an opportunity to gather ideas and feedback. I strengthen my skills and enhance my strategy by being on the look out for things I can share on my Instagram account @resonanttrainer. This means I am active in my surroundings, looking out and fulfilling my potential. How does each action I take effect my goal to be a great Trainer? Most things I do reflect this desire.


We need a strategy in all parts of our life though not just our work or career. Our personal strategy is the most vital. I often reflect on how am I nourishing my mental, physical, social, spiritual and emotional self. What things do I do daily that influence each area? How is my daily routine allowing me to excel in all parts of my life? This takes a strategy, review of the strategy and measuring the goals and steps taken.
I do activities in my day that are part of my personal strategy. One of the recent changes I have made in my life is to ad 20 minutes of German/Austrian television to my day. Usually in the morning watching Guten Morgen Österreich. It is a good way to strengthen my language as I let the sounds, words and phrases simply wash over me. To attune my ear. I should have been doing this everyday for the last several years, but my resistance to learning German was strong until I admitted I couldn't learn it by actually just being in the country. I still need a strategy to help my learning. I have to be active in the decision.
It is this 'being active' in your decisions that I think is the main part. You must choose what you want in your life. The choice, plus the action equals the strategy. With the end in mind, it then lets everything start to come together. Perhaps the end will change and of course when you get to the end it might also change, but a strategy lived daily helps to focus the mind, energise the spirit and perhaps lead to a more fulfilling day! Try it.