5 minutes to slow down, laugh, and share something in common. Every Thursday.

Core Strategy

During my time in business school, I came across a fascinating insight from organizational research: a clear and well-defined core strategy—encompassing mission, vision, and values—is essential to long-term success.

This idea came up repeatedly in case studies and in books like Jim Collins’ Good to Great. The most successful companies don’t just stumble into greatness; they have a deliberate plan, deeply rooted in their purpose and values, that guides them through both challenges and growth.

And yet, as important as this is, I’ve struggled to codify my own core strategy.

A human avoiding something challenging they know is in their best interest? I. Am. SHOCKED.

Having a mission, vision, and values is a compass. Because I’ve largely worked on my own, I convinced myself that documenting this compass wasn’t important.

“I know why I’m doing this, where I want it to go, and my values in my head—so why write them down?”

But now, I have started working with some great people that are helping my business grow. Do they know even 1% of the core strategy stored in my head? Fuck no.

And just like when I journal everything else, being able to release my mind from “remembering” the core strategy frees up so much energetic bandwidth.

Our brains are designed for generating ideas, not storing them.

So I’m trying again!

The business nerds’ research also taught me that communication is just as important as defining the strategy itself. It’s estimated that businesses that don’t persevere under-communicate by a factor of 10x! That number has stuck with me, because I’m designed to inform.

My mission will struggle to be fulfilled if it’s only in my head. Sharing my strategy keeps me aligned, creates accountability, and allows others—like you—to support me on my journey.

That’s why I’m putting this out here—because if I don’t communicate my core strategy, it can’t truly serve me or the offering I’m building.

Here’s my current iteration:

Why:

To be present more often.

Presence is the foundation of peace, connection, and longevity—for ourselves, for the people we love, and for the world we hope to nurture.

Values:

• Trust – In universal harmony, in each other, and in intention.

• Compassion – Lightness and optimism toward life and others, with respect and support for each journey.

• Courage – To ask for help. To choose my own path. To set and communicate boundaries.

How:

• Remove barriers to presence.

• Create presence containers (spaces where change and growth happen).

• Share valuable resources.

• Make meaningful connections.

• Make life fun!

What:

• Community, events, content, coaching…The “What” is the least important, yet is the aspect most businesses decide to focus on. I’ve often fallen into this trap.

This is my current best iteration at recognizing the importance of core strategy, and it already feels like a strong foundation. I’ve pinned these notes in my journal and reference them during meditation, letting them guide my next steps.

I feel much more at peace knowing I don’t have to “remember” my ‘Why’ and core values.

Imagine if small talk shifted from ‘What do you do?’ to ‘Why do you do what you do?’

What would your answer be? That’s a conversation I’m much more interested in having.

😄 Funny Business

📊 Community Poll

Results for last week’s question: How do you decide if something is worth a trip to the doctor?

We’re all too busy to be healthy! This is why y’all need to Slow The Fuck Down with me.

On to this week’s question…

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