Strategies and Tactics

How many of us are doing today what we thought we would be doing back in high school? Probably only a small percentage of us. For the rest of us, our end goal is probably still the same (or close to it), but our path to get there is radically different (IT and coaching were not on my tactics list).

You can get lots of advice on 'what' you should do (strategy) or 'how' you should do it (tactics), but rarely are they presented together to show their real value. A strategy will only work if it is executed properly. Tactics without a strategy is wasted energy. The trick to understanding these is that they are not restricted or set in stone in any way. In fact, the opposite is true.

A successful strategy is one that can change and adapt to a situation while still keeping the end goal in mind. The resultant tactics used will determine the success (or failure) of the strategy. Only with constant evaluation and testing of the two, can you truly know how you are doing. Not every tactic will work, but having multiple tactics for each element of your strategy, will increase your chances of success.

Have a goal, have a set of actions to achieve the goal, and be prepared to change those actions at a moments notice. Oh, and don't forget to enjoy the trip along the way.