Wing-it or Strategy? [Part 2/2]

Living with intention is the flip-side of winging that I explored in my last post.  It takes prayer, patience, practice, proof and performance.

To swim against the current takes deliberate  thought, direction and action. In other words, I need a strategy.

I cannot  afford to rest on my laurels lest I become conceited and lose track of my mission. Once my goal is achieved, it is time to embark on the next one.

Being a good friend of a scorpion does not mean that you can’t be stung by a bee.” ~African Proverb

However, even before I go into strategy mode, three fundamental beliefs remain constant for me. They give my life and work meaning beyond outcomes. These are:

1. Value is built on giving first –  serving God’s creation with love
2. Trust grows from vulnerability – being answerable to my Creator and fellow man
3. Work as act of worship – a celebration of my Creator through my abilities and talents

So, what key questions drive my thinking and strategy?

1. Why am I here today, this month, this year?

I must be very clear about my mission. This is like the compass that keeps us true to the  path. As the Beninese proverb goes, “You must attend to your business with the vendor in the market, and not to the noise of the market.”

My mission in 2022 is to go deep with my clients, family and friends. It builds into my overall mission to “Co-create with others a world of hope, connection and excellence.” This drives what must be accomplished going forward.

2. What is it that I must achieve?

Without a clear target, I will end up chasing after anything that seems like it will solve my problems. I am yet to hear of any credible athlete who goes into a race without a target. Even those who know they will not win the race usually have a clear goal: to  finish top 3, 5, 10… Whatever it is, they have a goal!

For the last couple of years, I have simplified my goal-setting to cover only four areas of health… Spiritual health, Business health, Body health and Community health. In each area, I set a maximum of five goals for the year. Do not overcomplicate it. Keep it simple or you will drift.

3. How will I go about it?

I then break those goals into manageable pieces (quarterly, monthly, weekly). For example, my cycling goal for the year is 10,000 km (about 6,200 miles). On its own, that is a scary number to digest. To keep me motivated and committed to my goal, I broke it down to monthly (800 km), weekly (200km) and four 50km rides every week. This further helps me to know the exact amount of time I need to budget for my fitness every ride.

“It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.” ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

4. Who will I journey with?

There is a Swahili proverb that  says “Maji hayatokoti yakishushwa kwa moto” (Water does not boil if taken away from the fire). Going at it alone is a recipe for failure especially when the going gets rough. For my mission to succeed, I also had to cede some power to significant others. I must remain accountable to my wife, my children, business partners, dear brothers who shared my values and to my Creator.

For me, accountability is still a work in progress. The value of my success is directly proportional to the level of my accountability.

5. When will I accomplish/achieve what I have committed to?

Set clear timelines of your intention as well as indicators that remind you that you are done! It is what I call committed measurement. Of critical importance here is to also remember to move on when the goal has been accomplished. It is tempting to linger on and waste time sitting on my laurels.

“Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.” ~ African Proverb

Q: What habits or behavior must you change for there to be a shift your life, business or work? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

[Photo by Kouji Tsuru on Unsplash]