In the preceding chapter, we introduced the concept of the Door, a pivotal decision-making tool that stands as a testament to our priorities. However, merely choosing the Door is simply the beginning of the journey. The true challenge lies in preparing for the War that ensues. This preparation is actualized through the “War Stack.”
The WAR Stack is not just any list of questions. It’s a refined, pointed inquiry system that offers clarity, direction, and momentum toward the Door you’ve set your sights on. Its true power lies in distilling expansive ideas into one central theme, the door and four concrete objectives or, as we call them, “Hits.”
Understanding HITS
Think of Hits as your weekly tasks, stretching from Monday through Friday. These aren’t mere to-dos; they are outcomes of the War Stack. They represent the actionable chunks carved out of the overarching goal – the Door. While we will delve deeper into Hits in the upcoming chapter, for now, think of them as measurable milestones that pave the way to your main objective.
The War Stack is a channel through which you visualize the path to victory, identify the hurdles along the way, and strategize on overcoming them. Let’s delve into the blueprint of the WAR Stack.
The War Stack Questions.
- Title: What are you going to title this stack?
- Domain & Sub-domain: Which business arena does this stack belong to? Your options include:
- Power
- Body
- Being
- Balance
- Business
- Production
- Advertising
- Marketing
- Sales
- Systems
- Profit
- Process
- People
- Systems
- Optics
- Protection
- Accounting
- Taxes
- Legal
- Cash (Vaults)
- The Domino Door: What specific DOOR do you aim to unlock
- Trigger: Who or what has ignited the urge to open this Door
- Narrative: What’s the current story you’re narrating to yourself about this Door
- Validation: Why does opening this Door seem essential
- Impact on Opening: If this Door swings open, how would it revolutionize your business
- Consequences of Inaction: What would be the repercussions if this Door remains closed?
From this point, you transition from envisioning the end to recognizing the measurable truths, the evident facts that would confirm the successful opening of the Door.
However, every truth is coupled with potential barriers, and there’s a solution for every barrier. These become your Facts, Obstacles, and Strategic Strikes, respectively.
Deciphering the HITS: Fact – Obstacle – Strike
For each HIT, you’ll establish the following:
- The self-evident measurable fact.
- Recognize potential obstacles standing against this fact.
- Devise a strategic strike to overcome these obstacles.
- Assign the responsible individual(s) to address the strike
Repeat this four times and you will have your Four Hits.
Finally, as you conclude the War Stack, reflect:
- Insights: What revelations have surfaced as this War stack draws to a close?
- Lessons Learned: What singular, profound lesson on life does this stack impart to you?
Concluding Thoughts
By the end of this procedure, you won’t just have a plan; you’ll possess a mission broken down into actionable, manageable Hits. It’s more than a strategy; it’s a warpath. With your DOOR selected and your WAR Stack in hand, you’re primed to tackle the week and reshape your business and life’s trajectory.