Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want

Inspired by the work of Rainer Strack, Susanne Dyrchs, and Allison Bailey

We plan business strategies with precision. We map out marketing campaigns, growth goals, and quarterly KPIs. But when it comes to our own lives? Most of us wing it.

That’s the gap this powerful framework closes.

In their Harvard Business Review article, Rainer Strack, Susanne Dyrchs, and Allison Bailey propose a bold idea: use the same strategic thinking that drives successful companies to design a meaningful personal life.

And it starts with seven deceptively simple questions.

The 7 Questions That Clarify What Really Matters

These aren’t your typical “Where do you see yourself in five years?” prompts. They’re designed to help you zoom out, reflect deeply, and align your daily choices with your long-term vision.

Here’s a quick look at the seven:

1. What makes me happy and fulfilled?

   Not just what looks good on paper—but what actually lights you up.

2. What are my strengths and talents?

   Where do you naturally shine? What do others come to you for?

3. What are my values?

   What principles guide your decisions, even when no one’s watching?

4. What does success look like for me?

   Strip away the noise. What does your version of success feel like?

5. What do I want to learn or experience next?

   Growth isn’t optional—it’s fuel. What’s calling you forward?

6. What relationships matter most?

   Who are your people? Are you investing in them?

7. What legacy do I want to leave?

   Big or small, what impact do you want to make?

   
   

How to Apply This in Real Life (Especially in Small Towns)

You don’t need a whiteboard or a retreat center. You need a quiet moment, a notebook, and the courage to be honest.

• Start with one question a day. Journal your answers. No filters.

• Look for patterns. What themes keep showing up?

• Make one small shift. Align your calendar, your commitments, or your conversations with what you uncover.

In small towns, where community ties run deep and every choice feels personal, this kind of clarity is gold. It helps you say yes with purpose—and no without guilt.

Strategic thinking isn’t about rigid plans. It’s about intentional direction. It’s about designing a life that feels like you—not just surviving the day-to-day, but shaping a future you’re excited to live into.

So grab a pen. Ask the hard questions. And start building the life you actually want.

Because you’re not just the CEO of your business—you’re the architect of your life.

Want to turn these questions into a printable reflection guide or a team workshop? I’d love to help you build it.

Source:

Harvard Business Review – Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want