Harness commander’s intent to clear planning fog

During World War II, Allied generals discovered that no battle plan ever survives first contact with reality. Their solution was commander’s intent—communicating the mission’s purpose and desired end state, not micromanaging every step. This approach gave soldiers the clarity to adapt under fire, pivoting to seize opportunities as circumstances changed.

In business and personal projects, foggy plans bring confusion and procrastination. If you don’t know why you’re doing something, every task feels arbitrary. The answer is to define your ‘why’ before any ‘how.’ Decide the one core purpose of your work—what success will look and feel like—then stick to three mission-critical tasks that serve that purpose.

This method echoes concepts in agile development and organizational theory, which stress high-level objectives over rigid roadmaps. By naming your commander’s intent—your project’s overarching goal—you free yourself to adapt when life inevitably diverges from plan.

Whatever project you face, remember: clarity of purpose fuels creativity and decisiveness. Define your intent, and you’ll find your path through the fog.

Begin every new project by naming its purpose in one sentence and picturing the end result. Next, distill your plan to just three essential tasks and revisit them each morning—ask yourself if today’s work brings you closer to that purpose. By keeping your focus at the commander’s-intent level, you’ll avoid distractions and chart a clear course, even when the path shifts unexpectedly—start this habit tomorrow.