Strategic Retreat

Sometimes, stepping back is the best way to move forward. Let's talk about why the "hustle" might be holding you back.

You don’t have to scroll too far on social media to find someone telling you to “push through the hard parts.” You know the posts – the ones with motivational quotes like, “Everything you want is on the other side of pain!” Usually, there’s some jacked dude on nine scoops of pre-workout, veins popping in his forehead. You know the ones.

I’ve been guilty of posting this kind of stuff too. Because, yeah, most of the time, you do have to push through the hard parts. But right now, I’m having more philosophical thoughts about pushing through. So what about this concept: Strategic Retreat?

To add to my nerd-dom, I got into military history several decades ago. While war and business aren’t the same thing, there are some parallels we can draw. So, let’s dive into this idea of a strategic retreat.

Good ol' ChatGPT gave me this as the definition of a strategic retreat:
“A 'strategic retreat' in war is a deliberate withdrawal of military forces from a position or area, not necessarily because of defeat, but as a calculated move to preserve strength, regroup, and gain a tactical advantage in the long run, often by repositioning to a more defensible area or to lure the enemy into a trap; essentially, retreating to fight another day with better odds of success.”

I’d like to linger on that last sentence. “Essentially, retreating to fight another day with better odds of success.” This is the key. Sometimes the “hustle culture” telling us to push through might actually be giving us the wrong advice. A strategic retreat isn’t a surrender. It’s not waving the white flag. It’s a move to give you better odds.

That beautiful servant’s heart that got you into this business, because you love helping people through one of the most stressful transactions of their lives, doesn’t always serve you. It’s why you take that call at 10 p.m. about the inspection report. It’s why you miss your kids’ games on the weekends to meet with clients. Weird, isn’t it? What makes you great at this job is also what makes you burn out. And there are moments you absolutely HAVE to show up. It isn’t optional. There are times when you cannot retreat, strategic or otherwise.

But there are also times when it makes sense to step back from the problem for 10 minutes, an hour, or even a day, then come back to it. Come back refreshed and energized to find a solution. Come back with fresh eyes. The key is this: you’ve got to come back. A strategic retreat becomes surrender if you don’t get back in the fight.

Often, when you step away, fresh solutions materialize in your mind. This part is actually science. Ever wonder why great ideas come to you in the shower? Is there some magical elixir in the water that stimulates thought? Nope. When you’re in a relaxed state, NOT thinking about the problem, your neuropathways shift. (Told you I was a nerd.) As these new pathways open, your conscious and subconscious minds approach the problem from different angles and often discover new solutions.

Give yourself some grace. Take the strategic retreat when you need it. Then get back in the fight, from a better tactical place, a fresh mind, and probably a few great ideas.

-k

Hey, if you’re into real talk and thinking outside the box (or the grind), hit that subscribe button. I promise you’ll get a mix of insights, weird thoughts, and maybe even a little nerdy wisdom. Come along for the ride, just don’t forget to take a strategic retreat when you need it!