Tactics, Strategy, & Making Your Bed
Hi, Everyone...
I spent 25 years in the Army and during that time, was in many military sponsored courses, training programs, etc. I also pursued civilian education, having started with a high school diploma, and ending up with quite a few advanced degrees.
Add to that the 'boots on the ground' experience in various parts of the world doing different missions, from humanitarian to peacekeeping and otherwise. Over different seasons, years, and decades. Some good times, some bad.
Through it all, I survived and lived to tell you today about a couple of lessons I gleaned from this period.
What I ended up after those years in the military was a lot of proven ideas on how to succeed at whatever it is that you choose to pursue. I literally lived what worked and what did not.
How Does That Relate To Affiliate Marketing?
Glad you asked...It has EVERYTHING to do with your eventual success at this business...or not.
I know that whatever you get into, having a plan will help keep you focused and help push you to attain the goal you set. If you do not have a plan, you cannot know where you are going.
Not only that, you may not know when you get there.
Once you have spent some time determining what that end goal is, however unattainable it may seem today, you have your end point. That is the start. The next steps are to start doing the many tasks to get there.
Of course as you move along the path towards that goal, constant change that happens around you and within you means that you need to constantly reassess what that end goal is and the actions you are taking right now...
The 'right now' is what this post is ALL about.
I see many people working mightily day after day, knocking out many tasks, and going to their bed exhausted thinking they have done well. They have completed 10 things off their 'to-do' list, and those things are in the bag, done, finished.
Good job they tell themselves!
But...
This daily activity is where you need to focus your attention, because unless you are thinking strategically and not tactically as you complete tasks you will not achieve everything you can possibly achieve.
Here is why I say this...
Strategic Versus Tactical Actions
First you must understand the difference in the two terms.
Tactical thinking is where you are looking to get that task done, and only consider it as one more thing to knock off. It might be creating some content, or making a video, or adding some fresh material to your social site, etc.
Strategic thinking is more big picture thinking. Everything you do is in congruence with the ultimate mission or goal. When you do these daily tasks, you are not just trying to get them completed, you are shaping HOW you complete them with that end goal in mind.
If you use strategic thinking, it means that as a whole, in totem, your tasks will get done in such a manner that they DO help you along the journey to that desired end state...This seems very easy to grasp I think...
Unfortunately, those that cannot make the connection and shape their day and work routine to strategic thinking will have a much tougher time succeeding.
This is fact.
I will give you a few examples...
- Just getting an article posted should not be the goal. Creating one that supports the entire program you are building may have a much different focus and content.
- Just creating a video so you can say you published something means little if it does not help get you more traffic that will move your forward on your quest for success.
- Just posting some nonsensical material to your supporting social account and platform does little to help you move ahead towards that strategic goal.
There may be the outlier that succeeds in spite of themself, but I would not count on that happening. Better to think with the big picture in mind as you go through your day and activities.
There is one more thing that is important...
Add In This Task To Your Daily Routine
Make your bed when you get up in the morning.
I know this sounds kind of silly and simple, but the thought process behind this suggestion is real. It CAN make a big difference.
I have lived it every day since I was 17. It started during basic training when the bedsheets had to be tight enough so a quarter coin would bounce at least 12" when dropped on the bed...
No kidding.
Think about it. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Do you sit looking at the floor, run to the coffee machine (this is what I do), or something else?
What about that bed?
Getting into a routine of making the bed every day as soon as you get up (or shortly after) means that no matter how good or bad the day may be, you have done SOMETHING. You have taken your first positive ACTION.
Even if the day is crappy and nothing goes right, when you get back home and decide to retire, guess what? That bed is made and ready for your lovely self, inviting - and in order/made!
It also means that you start getting into a routine of DOING things. If you are working from home or have an office, does not matter. Procrastination is a time killer, and we all have only so much time - do not waste it.
This routine starts your day off right!
Bottom Line:
Two takeaways:
(1) Think and Act Strategically. Turn your daily routine into meaningful activities that move you towards the end goal, whatever that is.
(2) Make Your Bed. Train yourself to be an action taker, someone who GETS THINGS DONE.
Remember, the most successful people are those that can make the leap from thinkling tactically (just doing things) to strategic.
EVERYTHING they do daily is one more tiny piece of the puzzle to attaining the end goal. Also, most of them make their beds in the morning...
I believe in ALL of you!
Cheers!
Dave : )
P.S. What do you think? Are there some tips, ideas, disagreements with my line of reasoning? Share below and let's have some fun! : )
Recent Comments
22
Hi Dave,
One of the best things that we can do when we start out is to think in terms of the end game and then every action that we create is a part of creating the process.
It is kind of like the training here at WA it contains everything that we need to get going and build momentum. Once learned it is all about where we take it and having the overview can be so helpful when we get to where we are going it is just a case of redefining where we are going next, thank you for the insights in your post, real food for thought.
I could not agree more with your sentiments and thoughts Alex, thanks for stopping by! Cheers! Dave : )
Good afternoon Dave,
I enjoyed your post, it had some good tips, thank you.
This bit about making one's bed is more important than one might think at first glance. I have been living alone on and off for long periods in my life. I always stuck to my own made rules and making my bed was one of them. It is too easy to become lazy.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Hi, Taetske, when you are in a beautiful place with nice weather, scenery, and water, becoming lazy can be hard NOT to do. I admire your tenacity to stick with your rules...It does make a difference in what you accomplish in life...Not to mention the satisfaction...Cheers and enjoy! Dave : )
Great post, simple to understand. But do I have to make the bed? I get up a couple hours before the wife, she frowns when I make the bed while she sleeps. Maybe I will just get a shower. Thanks for the post
Haha, My advice is not to make that bed! Cost might be pretty high and guarantee a bad day! Cheers! Dave : )
Your background in the military is serving you well. I agree with you. We have to have the big picture in mind instead of just checking off daily tasks. Great analysis. Debbie
I had compulsory one year of military service, and I hated making bed and shaving (the latter was compulsory as well). This was 30 years ago, and I have never shaved after that.
But I see the point of your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, Jovo...
The shaving thing I gave up too...I do keep it somewhat trimmed...Also I have long hair (have had for years)...
I guess this is one form of my rejecting some of the things we were all forced to do and had to get used to (there are tons more I could mention)....
The one thing I still do from those time is make that bed every day...I also find that I like order (order in disorder maybe? Maybe also why I fit into Germany well...
Definitely I understand where you are coming from...
The biggest thing that I gave up after those years was all weapons and shooting anything (to include hunting)...No taste for this...Only shoot pictures and videos these days...
There is some merit in establishing discipline and routine in the day, as long as it does not go overboard...Like shaving!
Cheers!
Dave : )
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Great advice to being motivated to keep going despite results not coming in as expected.
Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration!
Hi Edu....Thanks for your kind words, means a lot! Cheers! Dave : )