Strategic planning feels energizing. The room is full, the data is rich, and leaders leave the retreat with clarity and conviction. But for many nonprofits and small businesses, the real challenge begins after the planning session ends. The action-planning phase is often where momentum slows, priorities drift, and the strategic plan quietly loses its power. Understanding why this happens and how disciplined implementation and monitoring can prevent it is essential for leaders who want their plans to drive real, measurable change.