Five Questions – Clarify Your Strategic Thinking as a Coach

Are you feeling a bit confused by strategic thinking? You know it’s essential for your career and business, but how do you do it?

Here are five questions you should ask yourself to sharpen your strategic thinking.

What Do You Want?

The most important thing to work out is where you want to be. Goals, strategies, and steps should all point to your desired destination. Do you want to be CEO or run your own company?

What do you want to achieve this year, in five years, ten? What are your actual goals? What’s your vision? Get it all down on paper and think big!

Where Are You Starting From?

Survey exactly where you are right now. What skills, resources, and assets do you have? What are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks in your current job or business?

Are you satisfied with life the way it is, or do you want something more? What connections do you have? Map out your network, what value you provide them, and what do they offer to you? Write up your self-inventory.

What Do You Have the Power to Change?

Think about what you can control now. What can you streamline or eliminate? What must you add, enhance, or modify to reach your goals? This can include anything from training and networking opportunities to investment advice or strategic career planning.

What Do You Need to Move Ahead?

Take another look at your self-inventory. What skills, resources, knowledge, and connections do you need to get closer to success? If this is difficult or overwhelming, consider finding a mentor or life coach to help you find your way.

How Can I Reach My Goals and Still Enjoy Life?

Going for success shouldn’t result in a joyless life focused on getting ahead. Make sure you take time to have fun and do the things that give you pleasure. Think of what Future Successful You enjoys doing. What makes your future worth striving for?

Write down all the fun things you will do, whether it’s staying in 5-star hotels or being able to work for only half the year. Imagine driving your dream car. See yourself in your future executive suite.

See what elements of your future life you can start incorporating in the present and building on. Before you know it, you will be toasting your success.

Meet David Monro-Jones, reality specialist, coach, IAPC&M COO and Head of Accreditation.

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