Hold the Line: Staying Focused on Strategy in the Middle of the Noise

It’s so easy to get swept up in the day-to-day. For me, it’s conferences, meetings, follow-ups, texts, email threads—the rhythm of work just doesn’t quit. And if I’m honest? I struggle with it too.

Lately, I found myself dangerously close to losing focus on something that really matters: our internal strategy work.

The Wake-Up Call

This week, I had one of those moments—the kind that makes your stomach drop. I realized a strategy check-in was coming up... and the plan I’d crafted had been quietly collecting dust while I handled everything else.

Between the pace of external engagements and the daily demands of operations, I was losing grip on two critical internal projects—projects that are designed to move us forward in a big way.

It was time to pause, get grounded, and revisit my plan.

Revisiting the Plan

I pulled out the strategy roadmap I created at the end of 2024, and it brought me back to center. It reminded me of:

• What I set out to accomplish
• The milestones I committed to
• My first draft of the “how” (with room to pivot and evolve)

That plan wasn’t just a list of goals—it was a reset button. It gave me clarity, reminded me of the bigger picture, and showed me I wasn’t as far off track as I’d feared. I had the focus. I just needed to get back on the horse and start moving again.

Quarterly Reviews: Small Course Corrections > Big Fixes

One of the best things our team has done is implement quarterly reviews. That structure allowed me to take quick action instead of realizing—too late—I’d drifted far from where I needed to be.

It didn’t take a full reset. Just a thoughtful realignment.

And it reminded me of some important truths:

• Strategy isn’t a one-and-done activity. It requires consistent attention and forward motion.
• A plan only works if you actually check in on it—and act on it.
• Daily work will always scream louder than strategy, but strategy is what really moves the needle.

Balancing the Now and the Next

Here’s the hardest part: carving out real space for strategy in a world full of urgency.

Lately, I’ve been asking myself: How am I protecting time for the work that shapes our future?

For me, that looks like:

• Blocking time for strategic thinking—and fiercely protecting it
• Saying “no” or “not now” to things that feel urgent but aren’t important
• Making progress in small, focused sprints

Sometimes, that’s as simple as setting a 60-minute timer to make headway on a project. Even if I’m traveling, making a little progress keeps my brain engaged and prevents me from getting stuck. Momentum, even in small doses, matters.

Holding the Line

“Hold the line” is a military phrase. It means standing firm under pressure. And honestly, that’s exactly what internal strategy requires.

In the swirl of daily demands, strategy work is rarely the loudest item on your to-do list AND it’s almost always the most important.

I had great momentum with my 2024 strategy. I want that same energy—and more—for 2025.

So this is my reminder (to myself, and maybe to you too): Hold the line. Come back to the plan. Make space to think. Keep moving forward.