We all say that strategic thinking is important. But when the pressure’s on, it’s often the first thing that gets dropped.
There’s always something urgent to fix, another task to tick off, a deadline looming, so we stay tactical. Not because we don’t care about strategy, but because the day-to-day leaves little room for anything else.
I know this all too well. Years ago, I was told I was spending 80% of my time on tactical items and only 20% on strategic ones. I was advised I needed to flip that ratio!
The message was clear: “You need to think more strategically.”
But no one told me how. That moment stuck with me and it’s one of the reasons I care so much about helping others unlock this mindset.
The Myth of “No Time” for Strategic Thinking
You’ll often hear people say: “We just don’t have the headspace for strategy right now.”
But it’s rarely about time. What’s really missing is structure and sometimes, permission. Strategic thinking isn’t something you “find time for” once everything else is done. It’s something you build into the way you work deliberately and consistently.
Why Strategic Thinking Gets Derailed
We all know strategy matters. But it’s often misunderstood or mis-prioritised for a few key reasons:
- We reward action over reflection
- We confuse urgency with importance
- We treat strategy as something for the “quiet weeks” even though it’s what creates the space for sustainable growth
And sometimes?
We just don’t feel confident doing it. Strategic thinking feels vague. Abstract. Or too “big” for the role we’re in.
What Strategic Thinking Actually Looks Like
The truth is, strategic thinking isn’t always about five-year visions or detailed frameworks. It’s often much more subtle and more practical than we give it credit for. Real strategic thinking looks like:
- Setting direction, not just solving the problem in front of you
- Taking time to zoom out especially in fast-moving environments
- Prioritising decisions that align with long-term goals, not short-term wins
- Spotting patterns, asking better questions and making space for thought before action
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.
The Bottom Line
Strategic thinking gets overlooked not because it’s unimportant but because it’s invisible. It doesn’t ping your inbox. It doesn’t send reminders.
But without it, businesses drift, teams burn out and decisions become reactive instead of proactive.
And in today’s fast-moving landscape, that’s a risk no one can afford.
Want to Build Strategic Thinking Into Your Week Not Just Your Wishlist?
If you know strategy matters but you’re not sure how to actually bring it into your day-to-day, I can help.
→ Get in touch here to explore how we can help develop this mindset in your business
→ Keep an eye out for my upcoming course: How to Employ Strategic Thinking which is launching soon