A Life Time of Strategic Thinking

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A Life Time of Strategic Thinking

A Life Time of Strategic Thinking

You may be one of the thousands who think "Strategic Thinking" applies only to the "captains" of business. But consider human stages of life and how Strategic Thinking is used at the most rudimentary level.

The first weeks after birth, your Strategic Thinking is getting others to give you food, comfort, or just attention.

Toddler's version of Strategic Thinking is learning how to survive and explore the world of people three times larger than he or she; getting across the room to grab that enticing lamp, cup of liquid, cookie, toy and then understanding how that toy works.

In Kindergarten, Strategic Thinking might be just coloring within the lines of a picture, or cutting shapes neatly along the borders.

To Elementary school students, Strategic Thinking might be mastering the times tables or memorizing all 50 states.

Strategic Thinking in Junior High may be getting down a hallway without being hassled or helping a friend to win the student body president seat.

A high school senior's Strategic Thinking involves the big question ? what to do with your life; college, military, or job?

For most, Strategic Thinking during the 20's means taking those important steps to accomplishing goals that will ensure a satisfying future.

In the years of 30's or 40's, Strategic Thinking may mean searching for the best methods to use resources efficiently or new technology that will increase business opportunities. Outside the profession life, it may mean finding a good area to raise children or paying your mortgage on a tight budget.

During the 50's and 60's, retirement is the big question. Do you continue working, do charitable work, or relax on a beach in Florida? Strategic Thinking involves setting new goals to meet the new needs retirement will bring.

So why do we need to learn Strategic Thinking if we do it every day?

Consider: everyone knows how to run. But, can just anyone win the Boston Marathon or an Olympic 400 Meter Relay? NO! It requires training ? knowing individual strengths and weaknesses, when to sprint or slow down, the best ways to conserve energy, and increase endurance. To be victorious with important decisions also requires training ? knowing your strengths and weaknesses, when to be proactive or when to wait, and how to increase resilience and endurance. The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness shows you how to take Strategic Thinking to this higher level, giving you tools to help you prepare for the opportunities and challenges that are yet to be.

For more information about the "Applied Strategic Thinking Workshop" or our book, Ahead of the Curve: A Guide to Applied Strategic Thinking, or to speak to one of our team members, contact us at: (801) 569-3444.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Gaza fighting rages despite cease-fire proposal (AP)

AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.

Obama taps spending watchdog, eyes Social Security (AP)

AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs Â— even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.

Senate Democrats yield to Obama, retreat on Burris (AP)

AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."

Melting snow causes heavy flooding in Wash. state (AP)

AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.

Obama hails 'extraordinary' moment with presidents (AP)

AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.

Feds say inauguration attractive terrorist target (AP)

AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.

Drug made from genetically engineered goats may become scientific first (AP)

AP - You've heard of making cheese from goats' milk, but prescription drugs? In what would be a scientific first, an anti-clotting drug made from the milk of genetically engineered goats moved closer to government approval Wednesday after experts at the Food and Drug Administration reported that the medication works and its safety is acceptable.

'Dark Knight' sweeps People's Choice Awards (AP)

AP - Holy, People's Choice Awards, Batman! "The Dark Knight" soared away with every trophy it was nominated for Wednesday at the 35th annual fan-favorite CBS ceremony. The caped crusader flick won five awards, including favorite cast, superhero, action movie and on-screen matchup for Christian Bale's Batman and Heath Ledger's Joker.

Lin leads Harvard to 82-70 upset over No. 17 BC (AP)

AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.

AP source: Browns to hire Eric Mangini as coach (AP)

AP - Eric Mangini is the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after being fired by the New York Jets. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea.

Israel bombards Gaza, U.S. backs ceasefire plan (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli warplanes bombed the Gaza Strip on Thursday and tanks pounded Palestinian guerrillas on the ground as U.S. backing for a proposed truce raised expectations of an end to the offensive.

Senate Democrats move to seat Burris (Reuters)

Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.

Budget deficit to hit $1.2 trillion in fiscal 2009 (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, the result of an economic recession that has cut tax receipts and caused massive government bailouts of banks and automakers.

Mumbai-like attack could happen in U.S. : Bush aide (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. cities are vulnerable to an attack like the gun-and-grenade assault that terrorized Mumbai for three days and killed 179 people, the White House homeland security adviser said on Wednesday.

"Enemy combatant" will be early test for Obama (Reuters)

Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.

Salmonella outbreak sickens 388 across U.S.: health officials (Reuters)

Reuters - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.

U.S. presses to jail Madoff on diamonds, watches mail (Reuters)

Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff should be jailed for violating a court order by mailing $1 million worth of diamonds, watches and other jewelry to friends and family, U.S. prosecutors told a court on Wednesday.

Russia, Ukraine take gas row case to Europe (Reuters)

Reuters - Russia and Ukraine argue their case to Europe on Thursday in a gas price dispute that has choked off energy supplies to EU countries beset by bitter winter weather.

Israel bombs Gaza tunnels as peace moves gather pace (AFP)

AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.

Russia, Ukraine in EU talks as gas crisis engulfs Europe (AFP)

AFP - Envoys from Russia and Ukraine go to Brussels on Thursday for emergency EU-brokered talks to resolve a bitter gas fight between the two ex-Soviet giants that has engulfed Europe in a major energy crisis.

A Life Time of Strategic Thinking

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