Strategic Execution
This aspect of Personal Mastery is about understanding what you want to create, crafting your strategic plan, constructing the necessary building blocks, and driving to make it happen.
Know your vision and mission: Define and articulate where you want to go and why. This is a simple concept but most people don’t take the time to check in with it.
Manage energy to create more time: For established professionals to reach new heights, not having enough time is often cited as one of the biggest obstacles. Reorganizing blocks of time only gets you so far, though. And working evenings and weekends is not sustainable. We need to create more time. By that, I don't mean adding more minutes to the clock, or course. I mean ensuring you show up at your very best to every block of time in your calendar.
The key to doing this is understanding principles of energy management. When you tap into your most productive flow states, and strategically design your life to optimize your energy levels (including mental and emotional energy), you create more capacity and are more energized. This leads to being more effective with your actions, and getting more done with less time. Energy Management can be learned and practiced methodically.
Develop superpowers: Regardless of professional domain: interpersonal effectiveness (example here), creativity and metacognitive skills (learn more here) are examples of superpowers that will elevate success in our constantly changing world.
Build and combine skills: What skills and knowledge do you need? Individual skills can combine into powerful new abilities that allow us to thrive even in the most challenging circumstances. Example: for insights about the skill of uncomfortable conversation expertise, click -> here
Form your network: Is your approach to networking (volunteering, mentoring others, asking for help, nurturing relationships, and meeting new people) something that needs to be re-examined? What might be a good “refresh” on your relationship habits in your work and personal life? See details about my ideas for fearless networking -> here
Form your inner circle: The higher your status relative to others around you, the more yes-people will be in your life. Make sure your closest circle includes thinking-partners who will challenge your points of view, offer diverse perspectives, and say the things you need to hear.
Live a diverse life: Engage with people from all walks of life and all age groups. Explore novel pursuits. Design a vibrant and fulfilling personal life. You will find that the more you do this, the more often unexpected insights, joy and excitement will show up in your life.
Get good at saying no: "People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things." - Steve Jobs
The importance of saying no more frequently is not a new idea to leaders and high performers, but the struggle to do so still eludes many. Frameworks and mindset coaching can quickly address this.
Execute: Without good execution, a strategy is just an intention. Strategic execution is about building purposeful habits and holding yourself accountable. Form ways to establish and commit to consistent actions (including creating accountability partners where necessary). Ultimately, we want to reliably follow through on important goals without dependence on willpower.