
282: Strategy or Tactics? Why Your Vegan Intentions Keep Stalling
Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age
Why both strategy and tactics are needed
Michele uses Sun Tzu's quote to show how strategy and tactics combine to create lasting change.
In this episode, Michele explores a powerful but often overlooked distinction that can make or break any meaningful change: strategy vs. tactics.
Inspired by a coaching conversation with a client struggling through Veganuary, this episode unpacks why caring deeply—and even making a strong values-based decision—is often not enough to create consistent follow-through.
Whether your goal is moving in a vegan or plant-based direction, improving your health, writing a book, changing your drinking, or following through on any important intention, this episode will help you identify what might be missing—and how to make change feel lighter instead of heavier.In this episode, you’ll learn:
The difference between strategy (the “why” and identity-level decision) and tactics (the real-life actions that create movement)
Why many smart, motivated people feel like they keep “restarting”—and why it’s not a motivation problem
How having strategy without tactics leads to exhaustion and self-blame
Why tactics without strategy often feel brittle, artificial, or short-lived
How writer Steven Pressfield’s work on “Resistance” offers a powerful parallel for vegan and lifestyle change
Why support and accountability are tactics, not strategies—and how to tell if support is actually helping
What “good accountability” sounds like (and what it doesn’t)
How routines, defaults, and reflection can help you stay engaged when life gets loud
Mentioned in this episode:
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The concept of “Resistance” and the idea of “turning pro”
Veganuary and values-based change
Strategy and tactics as transferable skills for any life transition
Listener reflection:
Ask yourself:
Do I have a strategy without tactics?
Or tactics without strategy?
Where might support or reflection make this change lighter instead of heavier?
Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners.
For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit veganatanyage.com or email info@micheleolendercoaching.com
Music, Production, and Editing by Charlie Weinshank. For inquiries email: charliewe97@gmail.com Virtual Support Services: https://proadminme.com/


