New Business Book Summary for The Joy of Strategy

Oct. 30, 2015 - PRLog -- No one would invest in a company that had no business plan, yet many people invest their time and energy in unplanned and aimless lives. Allison Rimm, author of The Joy of Strategy, has developed and tested an eight-step program to correct this waste of human capital. She shows how to discover one’s life mission, do a personal strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-and-threats (SWOT) analysis, set goals and prioritize them, get started, and stay on track. Those who follow their personal missions use their abilities in ways that bring joy to themselves and others; additionally, they become more productive employees, more empowering managers, and more inspiring leaders.

Strategic planning for the business of living can liberate people from feeling trapped in unsatisfying work and help them live meaningful and joy-filled lives. The eight steps for achieving this are:

1. Finding purpose. An individual’s proudest achievements or the activities that bring the most joy often direct a person toward his or her calling.

2. Creating a vision statement. Those who create both a written mission statement and vision statement for life are better able to realize their purpose.

3. Name the critical success factors. Articulating the factors critical to the mission’s success, and analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as people begin to set and prioritize their goals, makes incremental progress possible.

4. Determining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). People should identify their greatest strengths, view weaknesses and fears objectively, recognize opportunities, and question and prepare for threats.

5. Set goals. These can be short, medium, or long term, and should be put in writing. Evaluating progress regularly can help ensure that a person remains on track.

6. Perform a time and emotion study. Determining how a typical day is spent can help a person align his or her goals and actions.

7. Select successful strategies. Using a matrix helps people select and prioritize activities and deters inertia.

8. Get going. Breaking down a project into small, manageable steps and revisiting priorities can help make goals attainable.

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