Strategy is not a plan
I expect to have some questions or arguments to this post, and I am great with that. I love conversation about ideas where I can hear and learn from other perspectives. But today I’m going to give you mine and tell you why I think it’s a good approach for your own life.
The words “strategy” and “plan” have become so intertwined that they are often used as a synonym for the other. I hope to communicate why I think this is not only incorrect but unhelpful. When we conflate the two words, we miss the vital roles they each play in a well intentioned and thoughtfully designed life. Some of you might be saying, “But Candi, I don’t need to understand the difference between the words because I don’t own a business. I just need to make a to-do list.” To this I would respond: Are you where you want to be? If you aren’t a business owner, do you feel fulfilled in your relationships? Are you thriving at home? Is your money working for you? I’d venture a guess that a “yes” to any of these isn’t achieved by a to-do list alone.
No matter your role in life, no matter your season, whether you're a parent with a mission to GET YOUR HOUSE TOGETHER, a creative with a beautiful idea that needs to GET OUT THERE, a C-suite leader who wants to INSPIRE YOUR TEAM, or anyone with an endeavor that is meaningful and important… you need a strategy. So yes, you do need to know the difference between a strategy and a plan.
I view strategy as a giant web. It is the framework that supports your vision (for your brand, your home, your family, your personal life, etc.) by providing clarity and motivation. It is fueled by your “why.” A strategy lays the groundwork for a plan. It is not the plan.
The plan is the set of actions that brings a strategy into reality. It’s informed by the strategy (the “why”), but its focus is on the “how” and the “what.” They are both crucial, and they are meant to work hand-in-hand because strategy brings vision and the plan brings action. One without the other is simply not enough.
My strategy & plan
To give you a real-life example, let me share with you my strategy and plan for personal vitality. I start with my “why,” which I’ve crafted into a statement that I wrote down and can read every single day: I help people and ideas see their full potential through thoughtful and intentional design. Starting with this place of purpose, I need to nurture a life that allows me to be ground zero for thoughtful and intentional design. So my strategy is to cultivate a lifestyle that not only makes space for my passion, but breeds and multiplies mindfulness, presence, inspiration, and appreciation. From this strategy I can form a plan that is rooted in things that make me tick. This strategy is always tying me back to my vision and helping me easily spot distractions or diversions of focused energy.
The plan I have for my personal vitality is to use my paper planner (it has fluctuated between my bullet journal and my Michael Hyatt Full Focus Planner) to schedule my days because the act of writing helps me be present in the moment. I use this planner to reference my personal mission statement and daily affirmations throughout the week in order to keep me attached in heart and mind, and to set goals that highlight my desires and ambitions around intentionality and design. With this plan in place, I have things I reference every day to keep me on target. I have goals that align to my why. I talk to people about them so that there’s a measure of accountability that helps me stay focused. The plan addresses my mental, spiritual and physical health. It addresses my creative passions. It addresses my wants and needs surrounding connection and times of recharge. It all feels integrated and highly optimized for me, and I firmly believe it happened because I saw the difference between strategy and plan.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the differences between strategy and plan. Did this bring clarity for you, or more confusion? Do you disagree with my position? And no matter where you fall on the spectrum, do you have ways of prioritizing your “why?” that have helped you stay motivated and focused? Let me know in the comments.
