Logistics — Strategy — Tactics

Logistics: The non-negotiable of the situation or environment. The things you cannot control or change.

Strategy: Given the Logistics, the overall end goal or vision.

Tactics: The required interconnected small steps that must be accomplished to achieve the Strategy, given the Logistics.

I first heard this decision-making framework from Coach John Coffman of New Albany Aquatics Club.

The more clarity you have with the above mentioned variables, the more likely you are to accomplish the ultimate Strategy.

Looking at this decision-making framework through the lens of E+R=O. (Event + Response = Outcome):

An Event happens in our life and our Response to it determines the Outcome. We have no control over the Event (Logistics) but what we do control is our Response (Tactics) which then influences the Outcome (Strategy). This equation continually builds on itself so that it plays out in both the microscopic and macroscopic view of our lives to ultimately determine our success and happiness. The bigger the desired Outcome (Strategy), the more difficult and longer it will take to give the required Response (Tactics).