Find, Fix, Finish
Applying Military Strategy to Conquer Your Goals
The fluorescent lights hummed, casting a blue glow on the rows of desks in front of me. The air smelled faintly of old coffee and BBQ sauce.
I was ten years old, hunched over a flimsy desk in the back of a cavernous classroom at the Naval War College, a box of McDonald's Chicken Nuggets — my dinner for the evening.
My dad, a Commander in the US Navy and a professor at the college, was at the front of the room, lecturing a group of officers about strategy, tactics, and the art of war. I was supposed to be doing my homework. But honestly, who could resist eavesdropping on discussions of battlefield intelligence and operational planning?
Dad was such a good story teller. He was captivating.
Those nights, surrounded by the hushed intensity of military minds at work, had a profound impact on me. While my daytime classmates were learning about fractions and spelling, I was absorbing concepts that would shape my entire approach to life and business.
It's no surprise that, years later, I find myself applying military organizational structures and communication principles to everything I do. It's given me, frankly, an unfair advantage. And now I'm going to share it with you.
These are really powerful and useful mental models to have and use.
The truth is, the principles that guide successful military operations are surprisingly applicable to achieving success in any field.
Whether you're launching a startup, climbing the corporate ladder, or striving for personal growth, a strategic mindset is your most valuable weapon.
By adapting the military concepts of Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB), Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, Disseminate (F3EAD), and Branches & Sequels, individuals can develop a strategic mindset that transforms goal setting from a hopeful aspiration into a systematically achievable reality.
These concepts were initially created to capture information, make fast and effective decisions and yes, kill… but we can forge their swords into plowshares by repurposing these concepts and using them in our personal and professional lives.
This post will break down these three core concepts, providing practical examples and actionable advice to help you integrate them into your own life.
Get ready to steal these secrets from a Navy Commander's kid.
Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) - Know Your Battlefield
In military terms, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) is the systematic process of analyzing the mission variables of enemy, terrain, weather, and civil considerations in a given area of interest to determine their effect on operations. It's about understanding the environment in which you're operating, gathering information, and assessing potential threats and opportunities. It's about knowing the battlefield before you engage.
It all starts with IPB. In your life you should always be gathering internal and external intelligence. More on this later.
Think of it like this: a general wouldn't send troops into battle without first scouting the terrain, studying enemy positions, and understanding the weather conditions. That would be reckless and foolish. Yet, how often do we charge headfirst into our own personal and professional goals without a similar level of preparation?
Translating IPB to civilian life means taking a proactive and analytical approach to your situation. It involves a thorough assessment of both your internal landscape (your strengths and weaknesses) and your external landscape (the market, competition, personal relationships, etc…).
The foundation of your internal assessment is the classic SWOT analysis:
Strengths: What are you good at? What unique skills, talents, or resources do you possess? What advantages do you have over others? Be honest and objective. This is about recognizing your inherent capabilities.
Weaknesses: What are your limitations? What areas need improvement? What are you not good at? Where are you vulnerable? Acknowledging your weaknesses is crucial for mitigating risks and developing strategies to overcome them.
Opportunities: What external factors can you leverage for success? Are there emerging trends, unmet needs, or favorable circumstances that you can capitalize on? This is about looking outward and identifying potential avenues for growth.
Threats: What obstacles or challenges might you face? Are there competitors, market downturns, or personal limitations that could hinder your progress? Identifying threats allows you to develop contingency plans and minimize potential damage.
Beyond your internal landscape, you need to understand the "terrain" of your industry, your personal life, or whatever area your goal resides in.
There are a lot of dimensions here.
Competition: Who are your competitors? This could be direct business rivals, colleagues vying for the same promotion, or even other individuals pursuing the same romantic partner. Analyze their strengths and weaknesses. What are they doing well? Where are they vulnerable?
Market Trends: What are the relevant trends in your industry or area of interest? Are there new technologies, economic shifts, social changes, or evolving customer preferences that you need to be aware of? Staying informed about these trends is crucial for adapting and staying ahead of the curve.
Personal Relationships: Who are your key allies and potential detractors? Who can support you in achieving your goals? Who might hinder your progress? Understanding the dynamics of your personal relationships is essential for building a strong support network and navigating potential conflicts.
Resources: What resources do you have available? This includes financial resources, time, skills, knowledge, and your network of contacts. What resources do you need to achieve your goal? Identifying resource gaps is crucial for developing a realistic plan.
IPB is not a one-time exercise. It's an ongoing process of gathering and analyzing information.
The "battlefield" is constantly changing. New competitors emerge, market trends shift, and personal relationships evolve. You need to "keep your head on a swivel" as Dad would say, constantly monitoring your environment and updating your understanding.
Practical tips for staying informed:
Read industry publications and blogs.
Attend conferences and networking events.
Set up Google Alerts for relevant keywords.
Engage in conversations with colleagues, mentors, and experts.
Regularly review your SWOT analysis and update it as needed.
I have Google Alerts set for all the members of my family, for the names of the companies we invest in, the founders / key team members of every company we care about… it’s a lot of work up front but then you have an all-source intelligence network flowing 24/7.
You can mine that with AI later :)
Imagine an entrepreneur launching a new software product.
Applying IPB, they would analyze their team's skills, their financial resources, and their existing technology. Identify their weaknesses (e.g., lack of marketing experience).
Then they would conduct research competing products, analyze market trends (e.g., growing demand for cloud-based solutions), identify potential customers, and assess potential threats (e.g., established competitors with larger marketing budgets).
An important part of this is tracking competitor activity, monitoring customer feedback, and staying informed about new technologies.
By thoroughly understanding their internal and external environment, the entrepreneur can make informed decisions, develop a targeted marketing strategy, and mitigate potential risks.
Benefits of IPB in daily life:
Better Decision-Making: You make choices based on a clear understanding of the situation.
Reduced Risk: You anticipate potential problems and develop contingency plans.
Increased Awareness: You have a comprehensive understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Proactive Planning: You're not just reacting to events; you're shaping them.
Speaking of shaping events…
F3EAD - The Cycle of Execution
F3EAD is a targeting methodology used primarily by special operations forces.
It's a cyclical process designed for rapid and effective action. It's about identifying a target, taking action, learning from the results, and then repeating the cycle. While it sounds intensely tactical, the underlying principles are incredibly effective for achieving any goal, no matter how mundane it might seem.
The F3 part is the title of this article: Find, Fix, Finish.
These are vital but they require the final steps to be truly effective.
Let's break down each step and see how it translates to civilian life:
Find: This is about identifying your objective. In military terms, it's about locating the enemy. In your life, it's about setting a clear, specific goal. This is where SMART goals come into play:
Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?
Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved it?
Achievable: Is the goal realistic and attainable?
Relevant: Does the goal align with your overall values and objectives?
Time-bound: When do you want to achieve the goal?
Fix: This is about developing a plan of action. In military terms, it's about determining the best way to engage the target. In your life, it's about breaking down your goal into actionable steps, creating a timeline, and identifying the resources you'll need.
This is your roadmap to success.
Finish: This is about execution. In military terms, it's about carrying out the mission. In your life, it's about taking consistent action, following your plan, and persevering through challenges.
This is where discipline and determination are key.
Exploit: This is about capitalizing on your success. In military terms, it's about securing the objective and gathering intelligence. In your life, it's about leveraging your achievement to create further opportunities. How can you build on your momentum? How can you use this win to propel you forward?
This is the domain of “branches and sequels”.. but we’ll get deeper into that in a moment.
Analyze: This is about reviewing your performance. In military terms, it's about assessing the effectiveness of the operation. In your life, it's about evaluating your progress, identifying what worked and what didn't, and learning from your experience.
This is crucial for continuous improvement.
Disseminate: This is about sharing information. In military terms, it's about sharing intelligence with other units. In your life, it's about sharing your knowledge and experiences with others. This could involve mentoring, collaborating with colleagues, or simply seeking feedback from trusted sources.
This creates a valuable feedback loop, allowing you and those around you to learn and grow.
Let's use another example, say your goal is to get a promotion at work.
That’s a worthwhile mission.
Applying F3EAD, you would:
Find: Define the specific promotion you want (e.g., Senior Marketing Manager) and the timeframe (e.g., within one year).
Fix: Identify the skills and experience you need, create a plan to acquire them (e.g., taking on new projects, attending training courses), and network with key decision-makers.
Finish: Execute your plan diligently, consistently exceeding expectations in your current role.
Exploit: After achieving a significant accomplishment (e.g., successfully launching a new product), highlight your contribution and express your interest in the promotion.
Analyze: Review your performance, identify areas for improvement, and seek feedback from your manager and colleagues.
Disseminate: Share your knowledge and expertise with your team, mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to a positive work environment.
F3EAD promotes efficient use of resources by focusing on targeted action. You're not wasting time and energy on activities that don't directly contribute to your goal.
Benefits of F3EAD:
Increased Efficiency: You focus your efforts on the most important tasks.
Improved Focus: You have a clear plan and stay on track.
Faster Progress: You achieve results more quickly.
Continuous Learning: You learn from your experiences and constantly improve.
Higher Likelihood of Success: You systematically work towards your goal.
The last is my favorite. Classic best for last. Works every time.
Branches and Sequels - Planning for Contingencies and Long-Term Growth
In military planning, "Branches" and "Sequels" are crucial concepts for ensuring mission success and capitalizing on opportunities.
They're about anticipating the unexpected and planning for the future. This is where the real strategic thinking comes into play. It's not just about achieving your initial goal; it's about what happens after you achieve it, and what happens if things don't go according to plan.
Branches (Contingency Planning):
As Dad used to say, "The weather gets a vote.” and "The enemy gets a vote." This means that no matter how well you plan, things can (and often do) go wrong. Branches are contingency plans – alternative strategies you develop in case your initial plan encounters obstacles.
It's about asking: what if...?
Examples:
What if you lose your job? Have a backup plan for finding new employment, updating your resume, and networking.
What if a key supplier fails? Identify alternative suppliers or develop a backup plan.
What if a marketing campaign flops? Have alternative marketing strategies ready to go.
What if you fail at your initial goal? Analyze why, make necessary adjustments, and keep moving forward.
The key is to be flexible and adaptable. Don't be so rigid in your plan that you can't adjust to changing circumstances.
Sequels (Long-Term Vision):
Now you learn why this is my absolute favorite part.
Too many people achieve a goal and then stop.
“I finally made $200K in a year!”
“The product was a success, we sold out!”
They rest on their laurels. They fail to use that win as a launchpad for the next win. Don't make that mistake.
Sequels are follow-on actions. They're about thinking beyond the immediate goal and creating a long-term vision. Once you've achieved your initial objective, what's the next step? How can you build on your success?
Examples:
After launching a successful product, what's the next product line?
After getting a promotion, what's the next career step?
After achieving a fitness goal, what's the next level of challenge?
After reaching a certain level of wealth, how will you invest, give back, and build your legacy?
Sequels are about continuous growth and creating a sustainable path to success. They're about building momentum and leveraging your achievements to create even greater opportunities.
Let's say your goal is to move to a new city. Applying Branches and Sequels, you would:
Branches:
What if you can't find a job in your desired field? Research alternative career paths or consider remote work options.
What if you can't find affordable housing? Explore different neighborhoods or consider temporary housing options.
What if you don't like the city? Have a plan for how long you'll give it a try before considering other options.
Sequels:
Once you've found a job and housing, how will you build a social network? Join clubs, attend events, and connect with people online.
How will you explore your new city and get involved in the community?
How will you continue to advance your career in your new location?
Branches and Sequels are not one-time plans.
These techniques are an ongoing process of adaptation and growth. As you achieve your goals and encounter new challenges, you'll need to continually refine your plans and develop new branches and sequels.
Benefits of Branches and Sequels:
Increased Resilience: You're prepared for unexpected challenges.
Reduced Risk: You have backup plans in place.
Long-Term Vision: You're not just focused on the short-term; you're building a sustainable path to success.
Continuous Growth: You're constantly striving for improvement and seeking new opportunities.
Greater Ability to Capitalize on Opportunities: You're ready to leverage your successes and build momentum.
The battlefield of life, whether it's in business, personal relationships, or personal growth, is complex and unpredictable. But by adopting the military principles I’ve shared you can gain a significant strategic advantage.
These concepts provide a framework for understanding your environment, setting clear goals, developing actionable plans, adapting to changing circumstances, and building long-term success. They transform goal setting from a vague hope into a systematic process.
So, what's your first step? I challenge you to start with a personal SWOT analysis. Take an honest look at your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This simple exercise can provide invaluable insights and lay the foundation for a more strategic approach to achieving your goals.
The battlefield of life is complex, but with the right strategies, victory is consistently within reach. You need frameworks and systems.
The principles I learned listening in the back of my dad's classroom, amidst the murmur of military strategy and the smell of Chicken Nuggets and delicious tangy BBQ sauce have served me well. Now, they're yours to use.
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