Are you familiar with the carnival game, “Whack a Mole”? In this game, you hold a mallet while facing a board with five holes. Each hole contains a mechanical mole ready to pop up in a random order. Whichever mole pops up, you try to hit it before it disappears. It’s exhausting.

Do you have days at work when you feel like all you’ve accomplished is responding to whatever challenges pop up? Do the same ‘moles’ pop-up day after day? It’s difficult to have forward momentum in an organization when you are trapped in the world of whack a mole.

Establishing a direction is the primary reason you want to carve out time for strategic planning. Without this, organizations simply survive the day and are in a constant state of reacting versus moving forward with intention.

Rather than whacking another mole, set yourself up for success with a strategic plan! Mary Sand, PhD (marysandphd@gmail.com) is a preferred provider with PHV and has extensive experience in leading strategic planning sessions.