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I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2018, but there’s one move I flat-out suck at; double unders.
If you don’t know what a double under is, it’s when you jump rope, but the rope spins around two times before you land.
Why is that important? I have no clue, so I haven’t bothered trying to improve them.
I workout so I can be healthy, play with my kids, and look the way I want to look on stage.
That’s it. That’s the goal.
So let’s use this as an example of when strategic incompetence makes perfect sense . . .
If you were coaching a football team and your star quarterback couldn’t kick field goals, would you have them spend time on that? Or would you focus on making them an even more elite quarterback?
You’re the coach of your life, so why are you doing the opposite by trying to improve things you aren’t good at—especially when they aren’t necessary?
Sure, we’re taught to “be all we can be” or the benefits of being “well-rounded,” but it comes at a cost when it distracts you from your calling and what you’re really good at.
Look, there are some things you’re just never gonna be good at.
Eliminate, outsource, delegate, or just forget about them.
Sure, it may not feel good, but we’re all incompetent at several things.
Do you know how to fly a plane? I don’t, and I’m not going to learn before my next trip. I’m just gonna hope I have enough rewards points for Delta Comfort, sit down, and enjoy the flight.
The Power of Strategic Incompetence
Strategic incompetence isn’t laziness; it’s focus.
It’s deliberately choosing areas where you won’t strive for excellence to free up mental space and energy for what truly matters.
The most successful people I know aren’t good at everything. They’re exceptional at a few critical things and completely average (or worse) at others.
This isn’t accidental. It’s intentional.
What Are You Willing to Be Bad At?
Take a minute and ask yourself:
- What tasks are consuming your energy but not moving your life forward?
- What “should do” items have been on your list for months that you never get to?
- What skills have you been trying to improve that don’t align with your big goals?
Now, try this prompt in ChatGPT:
“Here’s a list of three things I currently spend time on but don’t enjoy and don’t directly contribute to my goals: [insert your list]. For each item, give me: 1) A simple way to eliminate it, 2) How I might delegate or outsource it, and 3) What I could gain by redirecting this time toward my strengths instead.”
The ROI of Letting Go
When you deliberately choose to be mediocre in certain areas, you create space for:
- Deep expertise in what you’re naturally good at
- More time for what you genuinely enjoy
- Less mental clutter and decision fatigue
- Higher overall life satisfaction
And remember, there’s no shame in being strategically incompetent.
The real failure is trying to be good at everything and ending up mediocre at what matters most.
Make This Week Count
This week, I challenge you to identify one area where you’re going to proudly claim your strategic incompetence.
Then take the time and energy you’ve freed up and double down on what you’re already great at.
Stay focused. Stay bold. Stay Savage.
—Terry
PS: If you’re ready to focus on what you’re great at (like your unique story) and stop wasting time on what doesn’t matter, join my next Storytelling Workshop. Learn how to turn your experiences into a powerful personal brand that attracts opportunities—without trying to be everything to everyone.
Find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or book a 1:1 call.
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