Strategy doesn't have to be complicated and it shouldn't be! 

The most transformational strategic work often happens when we strip away the complexity and focus on what truly matters. If you're reading this, you already possess the strategic thinking that has brought you to where you're today. Strategic thinking involves the ability to anticipate, innovate, and align resources to achieve a desired outcome. Now, let's help you channel that brilliant capability into your next 90 days.

There's something magical about the 90-day timeframe that will help you create your strategic planning framework and show you what longer planning cycles can't capture. It's close enough to feel tangible and urgent yet far enough away to require genuine intention and strategic thinking. Most importantly, 90 days gives you space to create meaningful momentum without the overwhelm that often comes with annual planning.

The leaders who consistently create breakthrough results understand this truth: strategy isn't some mystical business school concept—it's the natural extension of your already brilliant ability to think ahead, solve problems, and care deeply about outcomes. You've been strategic your entire life; now we're just going to help you channel that gift more intentionally.

Strategy used to live in annual planning sessions with thick binders collecting dust on shelves. Those days feel as outdated as flip phones, don't they? The leaders who thrive today understand that strategy is less about prediction and more about preparation. Annual planning often focuses on setting goals and targets for the year, while strategic planning is about identifying key initiatives and actions that will drive the achievement of those goals. It's about building the muscles that help you pivot gracefully when the unexpected arrives.

Strategy needs to be as dynamic and resilient as you are—agile, adaptable, and reviewed with the same care you'd give any relationship that matters. The "terrain" of our organizations, markets, and teams is constantly evolving. What got us here might not get us there, and that's not a failure—it's just reality calling us to evolve our approach.

The biggest obstacle to strategic success? Believing you don't have time to plan. 

I see this pattern everywhere, and I understand it completely. When you're excellent at execution, it feels counterintuitive to pause. But here's what I've learned from watching countless capable leaders: you're not too busy for strategy; you're too strategic not to make time for it.

The leaders who resist this truth often find themselves working harder, rather than with greater impact. They become so focused on the immediate that they lose sight of the meaningful. But that's not your story. You're here because you understand that five minutes of planning can save you five hours of confusion.

Here is your guide with strategic planning examples for you to copy and paste for your next strategic planning meeting!

This isn't about complex matrices or lengthy documents. This is about having a conversation with the wisest version of yourself—the one who can see patterns and possibilities that get lost in the daily rush.

This isn't about judgment or critique—it's about truth-telling with compassion. Take a moment to really see your current reality:

• What's actually working in your leadership right now?
• What's genuinely challenging you and your team?
• What assumptions are you operating under that might need updating?
• What resources, strengths, and capabilities do you have available?

You have such clear eyes for seeing what others miss; turn that gift inward for just a moment. The goal isn't to fix everything—it's to understand your starting point with clarity and kindness.

Not five years from now, not even next year—just 90 days. This timeframe is your strategic sweet spot:

• What would make you genuinely proud at the end of these 90 days?
• What kind of momentum would energize your entire team?
• What outcome would create the foundation for everything that comes next?
• How do you want to feel about your leadership impact?

Trust that vision that's already stirring in your heart. You don't need permission to want what you want. Your aspirations are data about what's possible when you align your actions with your intentions.

This is where your natural problem-solving brilliance shines. Of all the things you could do, what's the one that makes everything else easier or unnecessary?

• What action would create the most meaningful progress?
• What change would have a ripple effect across multiple areas?
• What have you been thinking about but haven't given yourself permission to pursue?
• What feels both exciting and slightly challenging?

You already know the answer—it's that thing that keeps surfacing in your thoughts, the initiative that makes your energy shift when you consider it. Trust that instinct.

Once you've answered these three questions, the path forward becomes remarkably clear. Strategy isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions and making intentional choices about where to invest your precious time and energy.

Week 1-2: Foundation Setting

• Communicate your 90-day vision with key stakeholders
• Identify the resources and support you'll need
• Clear space in your calendar for strategic work

Week 3-8: Focused Execution

• Implement your ONE thing with consistent attention
• Review progress weekly, adjusting as needed
• Celebrate small wins that build momentum

Week 9-12: Integration and Planning

• Assess your progress and capture lessons learned
• Begin thinking about your next 90-day cycle
• Share your successes and insights with your team

The most successful leaders I know aren't the ones with the most complex strategies. They're the ones who consistently make space to think, who trust their instincts enough to act on them, and who understand that strategy isn't a destination—it's a practice. It's a way of honoring both where you are and where you're growing.

Strategy is like having a conversation with the wisest version of yourself, the one who can see patterns and possibilities that get lost in the daily rush. When you give yourself permission to think strategically, you're not just planning your next quarter—you're designing the leadership legacy you want to create.

You already have the wisdom you need; strategy just helps you organize it into action. The impact you're meant to make is bigger than you might dare to imagine right now. But that's exactly why strategy matters—it helps you bridge the gap between where you are and the leader you're becoming.

What strategic decision could you make this week that would honor both your current reality and your biggest aspirations?

Your answer matters more than you know. Trust the wisdom that emerges when you give yourself permission to think strategically about your leadership journey. The next 90 days are waiting for your intention, your brilliance, and your courage to begin.

The question isn't whether you're capable of strategic thinking—you've already proven that. The question is: what becomes possible when you give that capability the space and structure it deserves?

Your strategic breakthrough is closer than you think. It's time to begin.