Type strategy
Type strategy is the behavioral guideline that reduces resistance for your types. It is not authority (inner decision-making), but the two work together: strategy brings correct opportunities; authority clarifies yes/no once something is present.
Human Design is about transforming life by making decisions as yourself — and that is not the mind’s survival script. Strategy aligns life to correct geometry, reduces resistance, and gives the personality the challenge of awareness rather than control.
Strategy by type
| Type | Strategy | Signature when aligned |
|---|---|---|
| generator | Wait to respond | Satisfaction |
| manifesting-generator | Respond, then inform | Satisfaction |
| projector | Wait for invitation (major life) | Success |
| manifestor | Inform before initiating | Peace |
| reflector | Wait lunar cycle (~28 days) for big decisions | Surprise |
Not-self themes (signals)
| Type | Not-self theme | Common misalignment |
|---|---|---|
| Generator | Frustration | Initiating without Sacral response |
| Manifesting Generator | Frustration, anger | Skipping response or informing |
| Projector | Bitterness | Guiding without invitation |
| Manifestor | Anger | Acting without informing |
| Reflector | Disappointment | Rushing major commitments |
Treat not-self as a compass back to strategy — not a character flaw.
Conditioning and open centers
Humans are ruled by a genetic imperative to be attracted to what we are not — maintaining the gene pool, but pulling awareness into white (open) centers. Each open center carries a not-self strategy that distorts mental decision-making when the mind tries to lead.
Your strategy sidesteps that basic pitfall — it is the first mechanical correction before authority refines the moment.
Generators and Manifesting Generators
Sacral types respond to external prompts: questions, offers, visible options. Mental “I should start this” without a body response often leads to frustration. MG adds informing so impact on others stays peaceful after a clear response.
Projectors
Invitations should be specific and sincere for work, love, and direction. Daily life still benefits from being seen and asked — strategy is not isolation.
Manifestors
Informing eases impact of a closed initiating aura. Transparency, not asking permission.
Reflectors
Sampling over ~28 days lets environmental and lunar variation settle. transit strongly colors daily experience; major commitments need a full cycle.
Try the experiment
The most important step is personal verification: discover your design, follow strategy and authority, and notice differentiation over time.
Related: authority, overview, types.
Sources
Strategy, not-self themes, conditioning, and experiment framing paraphrased from the IHDS introduction (intro_hd.md, Ra Uru Hu, 2004–2010).