A lot of what strategic living is about is understanding the forces that put us in what author Robert Greene (The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction) calls tactical hell.
These forces usually take the form of daily battles or struggles. It could be the struggle to get recognized or respected at work. The struggle to fend off depression or anxiety. The struggle to get your spouse or child to listen to you. The struggle to improve yourself.
Whatever it is, it’s important to take a step back and ask yourself: “What battles do I fight on a daily basis?”
What sucks your time and energy? What makes you emotional and reactive? Which battles you face make you unhappy or unsatisfied with yourself?
Afterwards, you can then ask: “Why do these battles mean so much to me? What is at stake here?”
Naming the battles you face, understanding their importance, is the simplest way to keep your head above the fray, allowing you to know what you are coming up against.