The strategy that ALWAYS works

Whether you're writing, filming, speaking, branding yourself or otherwise developing a project that matters to you, there is typically a moment when you try to figure out your approach. How should I outline this? Who is my audience? What is the blueprint I need to walk this thing out?

All of these questions matter to how you walk your story forward. You do need to have a plan. You definitely need to consider your audience. And a blueprint or map is always a good thing for keeping you focused.

But there's one strategy without which many have found themselves floundering. It happens in academia. It happens in businesses. It happens when people are trying to shift in a new direction.

What I'm referring to begins with vision. But vision isn't a strategy, you might argue. And you're right. It's not. Vision is where the strategy begins. I want to suggest that there is a way to think about vision that peels past all the hip taglines. The way I think about vision is in the wedding of two directions. Imagine a line graph of your life that has a start and a finish.

Direction #1: The story.

At the starting point, we have the story. Imagine that there is an arrow pointing forward on that line graph, indicating our movement toward the finish line. We all feel as though we are walking our stories forward toward some wonderful finish, so long as we make good choices along the way. You're tuned in to how your personal story is playing out...You're trying to be present for all the parts of your life story. Even so, like reading a book, or watching a play, we are moving our stories forward in each moment, with every decision.

Direction #2: The vision.

Vision works in the opposite direction. Vision is meant to proceed backward. This isn't strange to us; as professionals, we are all likely used to the requests for outcomes-based planning. I know that when I'm designing an online course, I start with some kind of end in mind: What do I want students to know or be able to do by the time they've completed the course? Well, vision works the same way, but it's often left unattended and misaligned.

Getting aligned

With your story moving forward and your vision moving backward, there is a moment when those should actually meet. And that is the special space. That's the alignment between your current, daily choices and your conscious, deliberate connection to your vision.

No matter what the project is, I want to invite you to imagine that moment when your story aligns with your vision. What does that look like?

The strategy I'm after with any project is alignment. I want the choices that I make during each day to reflect the connection that I feel to my vision for that project, for my life, for my family. When those choices meet the passionate imagination of my vision, there is a synergy, a presence that reflects purpose. For me, that moment breeds confidence, commitment, and meaningful joy.

What does it look like when you feel aligned? How do you make decisions when you are not just present for right now, but you're present right now for the amazing plans that lie ahead?

It's important to be present in the moment. It's strategic to be aligned with your vision.

--Dr. Helane