You don’t need wealth to think like a strategist. You don’t need power to lead with purpose. What you need is a mindset; a way of seeing your choices through the lens of clarity, integrity, and long-term impact. The REL Way guidebooks were built for this. They offer tools that help you lead your life strategically, even when your resources are limited. Whether you’re managing a household, launching a side hustle, or trying to stretch every dollar, the REL model helps you make decisions that build resilience, not just survival.

The Tool: Strategic Micro-Decisions

Strategic thinking isn’t just for big plans. It’s made up of small, daily choices that move you toward your goals. Here’s a simple REL tool to use:

1. Zoom Out – Ask: What’s my bigger goal here?

Not just “save money” or “get through the day.” Think long-term: education, stability, dignity, and freedom.

2. Zoom In – Ask: What’s one small decision I can make today that supports that goal?

Maybe it’s cooking at home, saying no to a draining favor, or spending 10 minutes learning a new skill.

3. Check for Integrity – Ask: Does this choice reflect who I want to be, even under pressure?

Strategic doesn’t mean selfish. It means intentional.

REL in REAL Life: A Story from Detroit

Malik is a 45-year-old father of three living in Detroit, Michigan. After losing his job, he started driving for a rideshare app. Money was tight. One day, he was offered a cash gig to transport goods with no questions asked. It paid double his usual rate.

He paused. He used the REL micro-decision tool.

• Zoom Out: His bigger goal was stability and a clean record, he wanted to apply for a housing voucher and eventually start a small business.

• Zoom In: He chose to take a longer shift with verified passengers, even though it paid less.

• Check for Integrity: He reminded himself that shortcuts could cost him more than they gave.

That week, he earned less, but he slept better. And two months later, he was approved for the voucher.

Try It Today

Ask yourself:

• What’s my bigger goal?

• What’s one small decision I can make today to support it?

• Does it reflect who I want to be?

You don’t need more money to lead. You need more clarity. And the courage to act on it.

Explore more tools like this in the REL Way guidebook series; available now on Amazon.