Newsletter #38. Why Vision Without Strategy Always Stalls
The 1% Leader Newsletter - Issue 38
📩 The 1% Leader Newsletter
Why Vision Without Strategy Always Stalls
Turning Inspiration into Execution That Lasts
Every great leader starts with vision. You see what could be. You feel what should be.
But too many leaders stop there. They have passion, prayer, and purpose - but no plan.
And when vision isn’t connected to strategy, it becomes frustration. You can talk about the mountain for years but never take a single step toward it.
That’s why so many vision-driven leaders end up feeling stuck. Not because they lack faith, but because they’ve never turned vision into action.
The truth is simple: God doesn’t just give vision to inspire you. He gives it to mobilize you.
1. Clarify the Next 90 Days
Long-term vision gives direction.
Short-term strategy gives momentum.
Leaders often overestimate what they can do in a year and underestimate what they can do in 90 focused days.
That’s why high-performing leaders work in 90-day cycles. They focus on a few key priorities that will create the greatest movement.
Ask yourself: If everything else stayed the same, what three outcomes in the next 90 days would create the biggest impact?
Once you answer that, you’ve defined your strategic focus.
2. Create a Plan You Can See
Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain, so that whoever reads it may run with it.”
It’s not enough to know what God has called you to do—you have to see it clearly and keep it visible.
Write down your next 90-day goals.
Define your top priorities.
Assign ownership and timeframes.
A written plan transforms good intentions into visible action. When you see it daily, it pulls your focus forward.
3. Move from Activity to Progress
Busyness feels productive, but activity without alignment drains energy and dilutes focus.
A strategy should simplify, not complicate.
It should make decision-making easier, not harder.
Ask weekly:
What’s working that we should accelerate?
What’s not working that we should adjust?
What’s unclear that needs to be simplified?
You don’t need a massive plan. You need a living plan that helps you move faster by doing less, better.
4. Keep Strategy Rooted in Calling
The best strategy is useless if it’s not aligned with your purpose.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
Strategy without surrender leads to striving. Strategy with surrender leads to strength.
The key question isn’t just what should I do next?
It’s what has God called me to do now?
When your strategy flows from calling, you move with conviction instead of pressure.
Reflection for Leaders
Take 15 minutes this week and write down these four prompts:
What is the vision God has given me for this season?
What three priorities will move me forward in the next 90 days?
What actions do I need to start, stop, or strengthen?
How will I stay aligned with my calling as I move?
Small, focused steps compound into lasting momentum. Vision without strategy stalls. Vision with strategy changes everything.
On your side,
Phil
Next Steps for Vision-Driven Leaders
🎥 Watch this Friday's YouTube Episode:
Turn Vision into a 90-Day Plan That Actually Works (youtube.com/@philroutly)
📅 Join the next 1% Leader Masterclass: (philroutly.com/masterclass)
Saturday, November 1, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pacific
Weekday edition: Monday, November 10
