Myopia

 there is a more fundamental challenge common to all contexts.

Making a list is a basic tool for overcoming our own cognitive limitations.  The list itself counters forgetfulness.  The act of making a list forces us to reflect on the relative urgency and importance of issues.  And making a list of "things to do, now", rather than "things to worry about" forces us to resolve concerns into actions.

Today, we are offered a bewildering variety of tools and concepts to aid in analysis and the construction of strategies.  Each of these tools envisions the challenge slightly differently.  For some it is recognizing advantage; for others it is understanding industry structure.  For some it is identifying important trends; for others it is erecting barriers to imitation.  Yet, there is a more fundamental challenge common to all contexts.  That is the challenge of working around one's own cognitive limitations and biases--one's own myopia.  Our own myopia is the obstacle common to all strategic situations.

ACTION POINT: Be ever aware of your own myopia.