Strategize Your Life: A Guide to Crafting Your Personal Blueprint

In the bustling corridors of corporate strategy, the art of strategic thinking is often reserved for high-stake business decisions. Yet, what if this powerful approach could be reimagined to chart the course of one’s life? The Harvard Business Review illuminates this possibility in their insightful piece, “Personal Purpose And Values: Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want,” authored by Rainer Strack, Susanne Dyrchs, and Allison Bailey. This innovative framework presents a compelling argument for employing strategic thinking to navigate life’s myriad choices, drawing a parallel between corporate strategy and personal development.

The Essence of Strategic Living

Strategize Your Life, a program tested on a diverse group of individuals, from students to retirees, seeks to repurpose the methodologies of corporate strategy to aid individuals in defining their version of a meaningful life. The core premise lies in the adaptation of seven strategic questions, traditionally used in corporate settings, to personal introspection. These questions range from defining what constitutes a great life to ensuring a successful, sustained life change. This methodological transference from the boardroom to the living room introduces a structured approach to personal development, a concept often left to the whims of circumstance.

Crafting Your Life Strategy

The journey begins with foundational queries: How do I define a great life? What is my life purpose? Each question invites deep reflection, urging individuals to consider their values, aspirations, and the legacy they wish to leave behind. The process extends beyond mere self-examination, incorporating elements such as benchmarking against role models and the scientific study of life satisfaction. This holistic approach encourages individuals to sculpt a life strategy that is both aspirational and grounded in reality.

From Vision to Action

Central to this framework is the transition from conceptualising a life vision to actionable strategies. The article stresses the importance of assessing one’s life portfolio, akin to a business assessing its operations. This involves a meticulous examination of how one allocates their time, energy, and resources across various aspects of life, from relationships to personal growth. By plotting these elements on a Strategic Life Portfolio matrix, individuals can identify areas of high importance yet low satisfaction, pinpointing where changes are most needed.

The Road to Transformation

Transformation, as outlined in the HBR article, is not a distant goal but a series of deliberate choices and actions. The transition from strategising to implementing changes involves setting clear objectives, employing tools like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), and maintaining a dynamic approach to life’s ever-evolving landscape. The narrative underscores the significance of resilience, adaptability, and the joy of the journey, offering both a roadmap and a compass for those seeking to navigate life’s complexities with intention.

Conclusion

The Harvard Business Review’s “Strategize Your Life” not only demystifies the process of strategic planning for personal use but also champions the idea that one’s life can be the canvas for strategic mastery. This article serves as a clarion call to embrace strategic thinking as a means to craft a life of purpose, fulfilment, and joy. It invites each of us to become the chief strategist of our lives, advocating for a world where personal success is measured not just by the milestones achieved but by the richness of the journey itself.

In embracing these principles, we are reminded that the power to sculpt a meaningful existence lies within, awaiting the strategic touch of a thoughtfully crafted life plan.

To plan and execute corporate strategy, executives work through a series of questions to determine how their businesses can succeed. You can use a similar process to figure out how to live a meaningful life. HBR have created this seven-week series to show you how. You can start here.

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Questions & Answers

Q1: What inspired the creation of the “Strategize Your Life” program?

A1: The program was inspired by BCG consultants Rainer Strack, Susanne Dyrchs, and Allison Bailey’s curiosity about whether the methodical approach used in corporate strategy could be adapted to help individuals clarify their personal and professional lives. They tested this with over 500 people, from recent graduates to retirees and CEOs, to develop a structured approach to personal development.

Q2: How does “Strategize Your Life” apply corporate strategy concepts to personal development?

A2: The program adapts the process of defining metrics for success, assessing portfolios, and tracking progress from the corporate world to individual life planning. It involves a series of questions and steps that guide individuals in determining what a meaningful life looks like for them, similar to how companies strategize for success.

Q3: What is the first step in creating a life strategy according to the program?

A3: The first step is to define what a great life means to you. This involves identifying your metrics for success, which could range from achieving financial stability to cultivating meaningful relationships or making a positive impact on society.

Q4: Can you explain the PERMA model recommended in the program?

A4: The PERMA model, introduced by Martin Seligman and later expanded into PERMA-V, stands for Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement, and Vitality. It encourages individuals to rate the importance of each element in their lives to help define what a great life means to them.

Q5: How can individuals participate in the “Strategize Your Life” program?

A5: The program has been shared through a seven-week series on LinkedIn, guiding members through the seven steps to creating a life strategy. By the end of the series, participants are expected to have a one-page life strategy document to assist in making significant decisions or setting resolutions.

Q6: What makes meaningful relationships a crucial aspect of a great life?

A6: Studies have shown that meaningful relationships are significant drivers of long-term happiness, more so than material achievements such as money, fame, or power. These relationships offer mutual feelings of caring, support, and love, which are fundamental to emotional well-being.

Q7: How does the “Strategize Your Life” program help individuals with New Year’s resolutions?

A7: The program offers a methodical approach to setting and sticking to resolutions by helping individuals define their life’s metrics for success, assess their current state, and make strategic choices aligned with their long-term happiness and goals, thereby increasing the likelihood of adherence.

Q8: Why is it important to add personal categories like autonomy or spirituality to the PERMA model?

A8: Adding personal categories allows individuals to tailor the model to their unique values and priorities, ensuring that their life strategy reflects all aspects of what a great life means to them, beyond the foundational elements of PERMA-V.

Q9: How does the program propose individuals measure and track their progress towards a great life?

A9: The program suggests creating a one-page life strategy document that outlines key elements such as definitions of success, goals, and strategies. This document serves as a reference point for measuring progress, making decisions, and adjusting strategies as needed.

Q10: What is the ultimate goal of the “Strategize Your Life” program?

A10: The ultimate goal is to empower individuals to live more intentional, fulfilling lives by applying strategic thinking to personal development. It aims to provide a structured framework for individuals to define, pursue, and achieve their vision of a great life.