Hey friends,
I learned this the hard way, strategy breaks in the middle.
Right where things feel busy but nothing really moves.
I used to think strategy was one big idea.
It’s not.
It’s a chain.
And most teams snap it without noticing.
But first, a quick build-in-public update…
💵 The First $1 Hits Different
I’ve made money in a lot of ways.
Freelance work. Job raises. Random side gigs.
But the first $1 I made from something I built myself?
That one felt different.
It wasn’t about the number. It was about what it meant.
Because for the first time, I didn’t need permission.
I didn’t wait for someone to approve the idea.
I didn’t ask if it was too early or too messy.
I just built a simple offer.
Shared it.
And someone said yes.
That shift was small — but it changed everything.
And that’s exactly what we’re building for at creatyl.
Not just tools. But the moment someone realizes: “I can actually do this.”
You don’t need a full business. You don’t need to quit tomorrow.
You just need one person who says yes.
That first $1 didn’t build the dream. But it made it possible.
Quick invite (no pressure)
Ever wonder how people are actually using creatyl to build real digital products — the kind that get finished, shared, and sold?
This Thursday, I’m running a free live session where I’ll show you exactly how it works.
We’ll go step by step, and you’ll start building your own offer right there with me.
If that sounds helpful, come hang out. Would love to see you there.
Strong strategy is not complex.
It’s connected.
And once you see the layers you can’t unsee them.
Today we are going to help you master this by using:
‘Strategic Planning Grid - A Clear Path to Smarter Decisions'.
Let’s dive in!
Download This PDF + my Top 90+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email
How to Actually Use a Strategic Plan at Work
1. Your Team Is Busy but Not Making Progress
Scenario: Everyone’s working hard, but nothing important is getting done.
Ask the big question in your next meeting:
“If we could only finish one thing this week, what would actually move us forward?”
Use that to cut the noise and align effort.
Find the invisible work.
Have each person write down 3 things they’re doing that no one asked for.
Most teams find 20–30% of their time is spent on work that isn’t tied to real goals.
Use a two-column check-in:
Column 1: What’s working
Column 2: What’s unclear or blocked
Then solve just one thing in column 2. Progress builds trust.
2. You’re Drowning in Complicated Plans
Scenario: The strategy doc is 42 pages. No one reads it. And people are guessing what matters most.
Cut the plan down to one page.
If it doesn’t fit, it’s not a plan — it’s a library. Focus on 3 things:
The outcome we want
The deadline we own
The first 3 steps
Say this in your next check-in:
“Let’s get back to the core. What’s the result we want and what’s the next real step to get there?”
Make complexity simple by drawing it.
Turn the strategy into a sketch or flow on a whiteboard.
If someone can’t follow it in 20 seconds, it’s still too complex.
3. You Keep Getting New Data, but It’s Not Changing Your Decisions
Scenario: The team gathers lots of metrics — dashboards, surveys, reports — but nothing actually changes.
Change your question:
Don’t ask “What does the data say?”
Ask: “What would we do differently if we fully trusted this data?”
Hold a ‘data gut-check’ meeting:
Take one data point (e.g. drop in signups, missed deadlines) and ask the team:
“What’s a real-world explanation for this? And what’s one thing we should try because of it?”
Use the “signal or noise” filter:
For every stat or trend, ask:
Is this a signal we should act on?
Or just noise that sounds urgent but isn’t?
1. You Keep Saying “I’ll Start Next Month”
Scenario: You’ve had the same business idea for over a year. You tell yourself you’ll start when things slow down — but they never do.
Set a 7-day challenge: Do one action from each section every day for the next week.
Don’t overthink it — if something feels hard, shrink it down.
On Day 7, answer this: Did I feel more clear or more stuck this week?
If it felt clear, pick one action to repeat weekly. If it felt stuck, ask a friend what’s getting in your way.
Stuck is usually a signal, not a stop sign.
2. You Tried Posting Online, but Nothing Happened
Scenario: You posted your idea once on social media, didn’t get any sales, and felt like quitting.
Rethink the goal: Was the post meant to get sales, or just start momentum?
Try this instead: DM 3 people who’ve asked you for help before. Say:
“I’m putting together a quick offer to solve [X problem] — would you try it and tell me what you think?”Don't aim for perfect. Aim for real.
Your first $50 comes from clarity, not reach.
3. You Want to Build Something Real, but You Don’t Know Where to Start
Scenario: You’re serious about escaping your 9–5, but you keep getting stuck in planning, tools, or fear of making the wrong move.
Go to creatyl.com and start with one simple offer — a template, guide, or lesson you could build in a weekend.
You don’t need branding, a logo, or a full business. You need a product that helps someone with one clear problem.
Build it inside creatyl using the tools that are already done for you.
Then post this: “Testing something new: a $15 guide to help with [X]. Want in?”
That’s how it begins. Not someday. This week.
Want to read more? Go here to download the infographic.
Here's how you can make it real today:
Step 1: Pick your focus
Think back to a moment this week where something felt off — maybe a delay, a misstep, or just confusion.
Choose the one lesson from earlier that connects to that moment:
Too much busywork, not enough progress?
Too many plans, not enough action?
Too much data, not enough clarity?
Too many starts, not enough follow-through?
This is your focus today.
Step 2: Set your trigger moment
Pick one point in your day when you’ll act — before a meeting, during a check-in, or after you send a message.
Write this on a sticky note or calendar reminder:
“One move. Done with intention.”
Step 3: Do one real-world move
Take one small step tied to the focus you chose. Here are a few simple ideas:
Say what the real priority is — out loud.
Ask, “What’s one thing we can stop doing?”
Write the next step in 10 words or less.
Ask, “What are we really trying to solve here?”
Sketch a quick flow or plan — even on paper.
Share one data point and ask, “What would we do if this were 100% true?”
Step 4: Look for the ripple
Later in the day, pause and ask:
Did that one move create clarity?
Did someone act or decide faster?
Did something feel lighter or move forward?
You’re not fixing everything. You’re testing what happens when you act with direction.
Step 5: End your day with one line
Before your day ends, write this down:
“One move that helped today: _____.”
or“Next time I need direction or progress, I’ll try: _____.”
AI Prompt: “Act as a strategic advisor. Help me figure out the smartest, clearest next move based on the following situation:
Work Context: [Brief description of what’s going on, e.g., “My team keeps reworking projects,” or “We’re stuck in planning and nothing is moving forward.”]
Recent Issue: [Short example of something that didn’t go well, e.g., “Our last launch was late and no one knew the next step.”]
Current Goal: [What I want to improve, e.g., “Make decisions faster,” “Keep projects moving,” or “Reduce confusion in planning.”]
Provide:
A one-sentence summary of what the real issue might be
One recommended move I can take today that would help (something small but specific)
A sample phrase or action I can use to apply it in a real conversation or meeting
One question I should ask my team (or myself) to uncover better direction
A simple way to tell if this move worked by the end of the day
Use clear, simple wording. Keep it practical and real.”
You don’t need a perfect plan — you need a real one.
Most plans are written to impress, not to be used.
The real value of strategy isn’t the document — it’s the decisions that follow.
If a plan doesn’t make action easier, it’s not ready.
Clarity isn't a bonus — it’s the only thing that scales.
And once you feel it, you never go back.
Until next time and with lots of love,
Justin
This Week’s Growth Recommendations
Book To Read:
“Good Strategy/Bad Strategy” by Richard Rumelt (see it here)
TED Talk to Watch:
“The puzzle of motivation" by Dan Pink (see it here)
Today’s PDF
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