The Info Examiner

The strategic mind is an unrolling canvas of ideas and thoughtsshapes and forms, maps and pathways. Constantly churning the mind is sensitive to movements around it, interpreting the factors and elements swirling about but not controlled by them. Seeing, planning, rehearsing, revising, they can incorporate new ideas easily and fluidly instead of rejecting or discarding them. They question not for questioning sake but to add and grow the depths of their knowing.

Because they zero in on their goals so clearly and have a focused determination, they think themselves well into the future planning many steps ahead. They don’t wait for the universe to support them or supply them with answers. They go forth into the world collecting information, searching, processing, and asking more than what can ever be asked of them.

Always thinking, where am I? Where am I going? How will I get there? Questions marks float about and they grab them tightly, but only for a little while before letting go. The only limits in view are self imposed and usually temporary for they are on a journey without end.

A tape runs continually…

• No matter how good things are, success is a moving target.
• No matter how bad things are, failure is not an option.
• Anything worth any amount of time requires a plan.
• If the world didn’t change we’d only need one plan for a lifetime.

The pursuits of the strategic mind challenge all notions of defeat and welcome the opportunity to risk for the sake of curiosity and a passion for learning. The stories from the strategic mind unfold from beginning to end in full complete images not in small pieces or parts. At the first site of a block or wall they see the light above it and the path around it. Because most things are possible they keep seeking a way. For every action a counter action is considered. They keep reviewing the tape until it reveals a clear path to the end. This mind does not measure failure by how often it is right or wrong, but by whether or not it is left behind.

Since failure is not on option, the only thoughts left are how to succeed in spite of change, obstacles, and disappointments that are sure to come. Time is spent pondering only those things that they can control and they have the ability to control more things than most. They find hidden keys to unlock closed doors and build bridges of curiosity over doubt. If it has ever been done they are certain that they can do it. If it’s never been tried, there must be a way. In a quest for relevance the mind is turned toward what has to be done differently to beat change at its own game.

The visions are deliberate and focused without being fixed or limited. They see long range, but don’t get too lost in thoughts of the future. Their task is how to create many possible futures in spite of circumstances and constraints. They see long range, wide angled pictures painted in vivid color. They think big and far, and high and wideno limits.

They have the ability to reason through the multiple choices and develop primary responses. They can easily navigate several paths all leading to their ultimate goal. Energy is never wasted but is all spent on discovery. There is an end in site but this is not the time to rest.

They are miles ahead of change. They consider options, trends and predictionsbefore making one move. It is often difficult to tell exactly what they are thinking but they are always deep in thought. Quiet and still they are not easily thrown off balance by small challenges of the day. When everything around them is in chaos they simply make slight adjustments and changes in their position but they never leave the course.

And all of this happens in the strategic mind… before one word is ever spoken.

When they open their mouths to speak, they do so with an unsettling conviction and a sense of authority that is so descriptive everyone catches the vision. They can support their positions with sound reasoning and are still open and flexible enough to add to or take away as they share information with others.

The goal of the strategic thinker is to raise the stakes of possibility and participate fully in making the future happennot only for themselves but all those around them.

Wouldn’t you like to meet a few strategic thinkers?

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Valarie Washington, President of Think 6 is a knowledge broker helping companies improve organizational effectiveness, team performance, and individual productivity. Author of “Performance Case Analysis”, she delivers high impact training to corporations throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Contact Valarie at washington@think6results.com or by calling 630-705-1189. Visit us at http://www.Think6Results.com.