WHICH TACTICS WILL ADVANCE YOUR GOALS?
| 15 Tactics | Tactical Thinking |
Success can be achieved in one of three ways:
- luck. Whilst this might result in temporary “success”, it seems unlikely to sustain the “good life”
- work harder, putting more effort into life in the expectation it will produce greater success. Lots of people are trying this and it isn’t delivering for them.
- deploying smart tactics, based on a shrewd understanding of the “art of the possible”, and how to bridge the gap between the future and the present. Strategic thinking and self management skills to maximise life outcomes based on the “opportunities, circumstances and constraints we find ourselves in”
“The game of life is not so much in holding a good hand as playing a poor hand well.”
H.T. Leslie
Life Tactics maps out fifteen different tactical themes. Each tactic well deployed incorporates an important life asset. And difficulty in drawing on a tactic represents a potential constraint. But each tactic also possesses a risk. Over-deployed, in the wrong way at the wrong time, the tactic has the potential to backfire.
Review the listing of 15 tactics and click to:
Review do’s and don'ts to maximise tactical effectiveness: insights to help
overcome any constraints and ideas to build on strengths
Know the rules of the game
Understand the “laws” of human nature, social dynamics
and life success. You may You may not like the laws. You may prefer
to live your life based on “what ought to be.” That may be a frustrating
and troublesome life strategy. Live life based on “as is”.
Don’t be cynical, looking to exploit the shortcomings of
others or seeking to take advantage through cunning manipulation.
But recognise life’s realities and understand the “way
it is”. Play the game of life ethically and with integrity
and honour but be street smart in how you play it.
Know your “hand”
Be positive but also stay grounded in the realities of your personal
strengths and shortcomings. Know the cards in your hand. Don’t
allow your enthusiasm to win the game run ahead of the cards
in your hand. Recognise:
- which tactics you find easy to deploy in life and are working positively for you
- which tactics you are over-playing and are now becoming counter-productive and creating life difficulties
- which tactics are more difficult and are constraining your life options
Be honest in your appraisal of the cards in your hand. Bluffing is a legitimate manoeuvre but one that might be difficult to sustain throughout the full course of life. And if you’re not sure of the tactical cards in your hand, complete the Life Dynamics Assessment for a detailed and comprehensive profile of your tactical assets and liabilities.
Think “if-then”
What do you want to achieve? What then do you need to do? Know
your goals and anticipate the challenges you will face. Work
out the tactics you need to deploy to achieve these goals and
overcome life’s obstacles. And know when to shift your
tactics when your goals change. Don’t fall into the trap
of the “seven-step programme of self-improvement”,
that one-size-fits-all prescription which promises life success.
The standard sequence applicable to each and everyone doesn’t
work. Implement the tactics that work for you based on what you
want to achieve.
Play a game you can win
Don’t play a game with a losing hand. Don’t attempt
to deploy tactics that “aren’t you” and won’t
help you advance your goals. Avoid the risks and hazards of those
tactics that you find difficult. Always look to play to your strengths,
drawing on those tactics that represent your personal talents.
Look to the shift the battleground on to territory that you can
successfully fight on. Know also when you may have to rethink your
life goals.
Manage your tactics strategically
No one single tactic will secure your life goals. Indeed, any one
tactic taken to the extreme will create hazards and jeopardise
your life plan. Use your wisdom to master the art of timing:
knowing when to deploy a particular tactical strength with full
commitment and when to wait and see how the situation develops.
And know when you need to vary your approach to draw on a different
tactic.