A mentor asked me an important question the other day. She said, “What does the next level look like for you?” The question caught me off guard, because we were discussing a very specific issue at the time. But the question was not about the specific issue. It was about big picture next level. When I realized that I didn’t have a coherent answer, I took a fresh look at that specific issue. Sometimes when all we do is look at the specific issues, we fail to see the patterns. You can’t reach the next level until you see the patterns. And dealing with the specific issues is so much easier when you at least on your way to the next level.
Jamie — once again you engage us with your honest reflections — thanks. I agree that vision of the big picture helps us shape the specific, daily puzzle pieces. It reminds me of the original Covey concept: begin with the end in mind. Sometimes the challenge is defining the end, big picture while suspending need for picture-perfect clarity. So my take away: hold fast to that dream (sounds familiar)and recognize that the specifics will shape the end, big pic. And “don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good” (Voltaire?)
Thanks for the great comment, Amanda. Yes, seeing the patterns sometimes requires some squinting (so you don’t see so much detail). Although I would suggest that understanding the next level is not ONLY about knowing what the end vision is. THere are intermediate steps that sometimes require more clarity than we expect.