Webster defines strategy as the “science and art of miliary command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions” (1a2).  Also, “a careful plan or method: a clever stratagem (2a), (2b): the art of devising or employing plans or strategems toward a goal”.  A synonym for “stratagem is ruse or “trick”.

The broadest definition for strategy, listed first in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary relates to the “science and art of employing the political, economic, psychological and miliary forces of a nation or group of nations to afford the maximum support to adopted policies in peace or war.”

In the business and professional world, we use the word “strategy” or “strategic” to define the process of developing specific targeted plan or plans in order to accomplish goals that are established as part of the “strategic” process.

What does all of this have to do with what we’ve been talking about over the past several days - the “dreams & visions” process?

The dreams & visions process is simply one strategy for accomplishing a life goal - whether it’s making the transition from the marketplace into retirement; returning to the marketplace after rearing a family; returning to complete a college degree after years of fantasizing about doing so! 

But how many of us ever do this.  We don’t usually sit down to plan unless we are pressed into a situation that seems beyond our control or grasp; or suddenly find our life and world turned upside down by widowhood, divorce, downsized or outsourced or some other major life event that changes the course of the mental image we have for the rest of our lives!

I’ve used the word or words “strategic” or “strategic planning” over the course of a more than 25 years career.  And yet I never looked at its true meaning according to Webster.

Excuse while I digress into a somewhat metaphorical take on the meaning of strategy and what we are doing with dreams & visions.  If we look at developing a life strategy out of the dreams & visions process, we are creating or employing a plan to put ourselves in the most advantageous condition we can to manuever a victory against an “enemy”. 

The “enemy” is usually “me” - myself, with all my doubts, fears, lack of confidence or esteem - all the old tapes that play in my head because those unseen memory traces just won’t give them up!

Then there is the “enemy” of others - what network marketers often call the “dreamstealers” - the “naysayers”.   You know, usually those folks close to us who, if they dont’ say it in so many words - give us a look that says “oh come on now”!

And finally there is the enemy of what I call the “kissemwhaw” folks!  You know, the folks that wouldn’t or couldn’t speak the truth in love to us if they tried because they need us to like them or some other equally noxious motive.

Each “enemy” has the same goal - to defeat us on the path to discovering who we really are; but more importantly - what our true destiny or purpose is!

And it doesn’t matter how wise and mature we grow, we still have the same “enemies” to deal with.  But if we’ve learned the “strategy” (clever plan; ruse, trick) for dealing with each one of them, including the one called “me” - then we will win on the “battlefield” of life.

Okay - back from the metaphorical world.  I’ve said all this to say this - that the “dreams & visions” process is one excellent strategy for achieving new goals and a new direction for our lives.

So as we continue with the D & V process, let’s remember who the “enemies” are; be aware of when they’re rearing their ugly heads and manuever through them with grace and ease.  Something women of excellence learn to do well!

   Linda

P.S.  There’s a FABULOUS book (if you like metaphor as I do) that I can’t recommend enough for those who are engaging with me in the “dreams & visions” process.  “The Dream Giver”, by Bruce Wilkinson, author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Prayer of Jabez”.  There is an accompanying “Dream Planner” that is journal style and can be used for the dreams & visions process.  I’m sure it can be purchased from www.amazon.com.

Tomorrow, I’ll give the next step in the process and we’ll wrap it up mid next week.

 Have an AWESOME weekend!                     Linda S.