54 - You Know You Are Made for More - Here's How Strategy Can Help

There is a quiet discomfort that creeps in when you are doing all the things you are “supposed” to be doing - working hard, ticking the boxes, pushing forward in your career - and yet, deep down, something still feels off.

You are not ungrateful. You know how far you have come and what you have achieved. But despite all that, there is a restlessness you cannot shake. And the more you progress your career, the more trapped you feel, with each day becoming more of a grind.

Sometimes, the space between where you are and where you want to be feels wide. If this is you, you are not alone and I have got just the thing - strategy.

Why Strategy is the Key to Making Dreams Real

Reflecting on my Three Step System, my proven system to success, if Auditing your current reality is Step One, and BigThinking is Step Two, then Strategy - Step Three - is where everything begins to shift.

This is also where many people get stuck! They assume they need to map out the entire journey before they can begin. In reality, you don’t need a perfectly detailed plan. You just need to know your next few steps and general direction. With that kind of clarity, and action (yes, getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things and making stuff happen with intention) momentum builds naturally.

Why Strategy Isn’t Just for Businesses

Successful companies do not move forward based on gut instinct alone. They develop clear, actionable strategies that guide their decisions, drive progress, and help them overcome challenges. Take Rolls-Royce PLC as an example. When Tufan Erginbilgiç became CEO in 2023, he introduced a bold and focused strategy. Within just two years, the company met its financial goals well ahead of schedule and at the time of writing the share price has risen by 700%! That kind of turnaround was not due to luck - it was the result of vision combined with clear and consistent execution. If strategy can create that kind of transformation in a billion-pound business, imagine what it could do for your personal goals.

What a Clear Strategy Gives You

Having a personal strategy, even a simple one, brings powerful benefits:

Clarity – You stop second-guessing yourself and start moving forward with purpose. You can pivot anytime based on what you learn and discover.
Energy - You get your buzz back, and that feels so good!
Momentum – Each small win builds your confidence.
Efficiency – You make smarter decisions, stop wasting time and can easily say no to things that do not get you to your goal.
Resilience – When life throws curveballs, you adjust without giving up.

What This Looks Like in Action

In my past, I found myself in a job that looked great on paper but left me feeling completely flat. I had climbed the ladder, earned promotions, and ticked every box I thought I was supposed to but had hit a ceiling in that organisation. I would sit in meetings and quietly wonder, Is this really it for the next 30+ years? The thought of changing direction felt daunting. I had responsibilities, children who needed me, bills to pay, and no clear idea what I would do instead.

Now I will be honest. I didn’t start small. After a long time of procrastination, I got to breaking point and quit my job. It was one of the scariest things I have ever done, and whilst I was petrified, I knew it was the right thing for me to do. I worried so much about what other people thought! But in my mind, I was quietly excited about all the unlimited number of opportunities that opened up for me because of making that one decision.

At that time, I hadn’t taken the time to think through what I wanted. I felt so lost, like a boat floating in the middle of the ocean with no sail. As I didn’t know what else to do, I decided to invest in myself, in training, reading, research and self -discovery activities.

If you have been here a while, you know that I discovered that my big goal is financial freedom. To be able to do what I love, with who I love and on my own schedule. I do not want to work until I am 68, I never want to be at risk of redundancy again, and I never, ever want to feel trapped in a job that doesn’t light me up every day.

A few months later, I pivoted into a new role that felt aligned and meaningful. And eventually, I started investing in property and launched my own business. It all started with a few small, strategic steps. Nothing fancy. Just intentional action that moved me forward towards my goal.

And I still don’t know every step of the way! I do know some things that can get me there, I do know how to research, how to take forward action, and that sometimes you need to invest in other people and yourself.

3 Simple Strategy Starters

If you are ready to start building momentum, try this:
Step 1: Write down one goal or dream you would love to make real.
Step 2: Identify three practical steps that could bring you closer to it.
Step 3: Choose one of those steps and take action on it today.

Here is a quick example:
 

Goal: Earn £100k a year

• Research five income models at this level

• Choose two that align with your strengths

• Explore one of them more deeply over the next month

So, the roles with this earning potential that you may down select: Operations Director, Commercial Executive, Sales Director, Consultant and Entrepreneur. Two that may align with your strengths are Commercial Exec and Sales Director. Now you can explore these options, what organisations have these roles, who can you get in touch with to find out more, do you need more qualifications or experience, research people already in these roles and find out their career journey (LinkedIn is a great tool for this).

Before you know it, you can identify a few steps that you can take towards achieving your objective.

Keep it simple. Strategy is not about designing the perfect plan, it is about creating movement.

One Year from Today

Imagine this: in 12 months' time you look back at what you have achieved, and you are amazed and proud at the progress you have made towards your dream life. The alternative is that you are stuck in the same position, feeling stuck and unfulfilled but another year older. It all begins with taking your first step.

Ready to Take That Step?

If you are ready to stop feeling stuck and start building a personalised strategy for your life and career, I am building something exciting just for you. Keep your eyes peeled and I will share it with you in the next few weeks. 

You already know you are made for more. Now it is time to build a strategy to help you get there.

Always with love,

Elsa x