Growth Lab reposted this
Strategic work is impossible to do within 30-minute breaks between meetings. You need time and space to focus. Here are five techniques that help me liberate my mind for strategic work: 1. 𝐆𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 (and office) ☕- something super simple such as changing your environment can supercharge your brain. Seek external inspiration and break some routines when you are doing strategy heavy lifting. 2. 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 🖼️- Many people fall into the analysis paralysis trap. At one point, you need to choose the methodology you will be using and stick with it. Reading another HBR article will not do the job for you. Say "enough is enough" when it comes to inputs and do the work. 3. 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞 🐝 - when you are working in the group, the brain is buzzing - building on other ideas, forming new syntax, coming up with new ideas and solutions. Humans evolved to be tribal creatures. Tap the power of the hive mind. 4. 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 ⏳- While making decisions under pressure works well for some people, strategic decisions require deep thinking. You cannot really "timebox" yourself to have ground-breaking ideas. Be patient and kind to yourself and your team members. 5. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 🔬 - Strategy is an intelligent response to circumstances. Your best bet to get the best outcome. To nail this, you need to know what the circumstances are. No blind guesses - DYOR. Even talking with 10 customers unlocks new insights - some might be ground-breaking. What helps you think and focus? How do you defend your strategic work slots and liberate your brain to think strategically? Let’s exchange best practices in comments while polishing our “Playing to win” strategies for 2025. ✌️