I was recently talking to a
friend about the projects we are working on. While I was sitting down to
talk, he had just getting off the phone where he was helping the person on the
other end of the phone to understand what the priorities are. He made it clear this was not a personal
issue, but a business issue. I commented on how well he handled the
situation and the way he remained calm. He explained that the person was
very busy and just needed to be reminded of the priorities and the related
timelines. I responded that sometimes, depending where we are in the
company and our positions, some people do not always see the big picture. I remembered earlier in my career that I was
not very clear on some of the tasks because my point of view was too limited
and my managers did not always explain how what I was doing fit into the bigger
picture. It made me
wonder if this is only a work thing...
Sometimes, I know there are
things that I need to do around the home (all you need to do is look at the
piles in my basement waiting for homes).
We all have little projects that need to be addressed, but are left
undone. While these little things are “things”
that need to be finished, they manage to be put on hold. Are they a priority? Maybe.
Do they fit into the bigger picture of what we are striving towards on a
weekly, monthly, yearly basis? Probably
not and are sometimes felt as a distraction – we ignore these chores almost like
a planned procrastination.
The other night, I had a
dream, which highlighted the fact that sometimes we are so “into the weeds”
that we do not step back and take a broader view. I was sitting in one of my girl’s classes,
which was taking place outside on wrought iron patio furniture. Even though I have written down and remember
some of the details of the class; in general, the dream dealt with the students
handing their work individually to the teacher who would then discuss and
provide feedback. Some of the comments /
feedback were flat. The best comments
were reserved for where the student understood the cause and effect of some
action they took, and, they were not judgmental about the action taken. Cause and effect – the students understood
why the action was taken, the immediate impact and the future effect. They were able to grasp the bigger picture.
I remember before Gab and Bec
went off to college, I reminded them of the bigger picture – the “why” they
were going to college. I then told them
of my college experience. I went off to
the school of my choice and was excited to enter this exciting part of my
life. I was off to become an Accountant! I found that once I was at school and out
from under the protective bubble created by my parents, that there was a whole
new world to experience – some of it positive and some of it less
positive. Being young, wide-eyed and
curious, off I went to try new things.
Oh, boy, was I having fun…having seen Animal House a few years prior to
going to college, I had in my mind what was waiting for me out there. You see, the thing was, as much fun as I was
having, was as much of a distraction from the reason why I was going to
school.
And now, I am a mature (OK, I
can hear some of the giggles) adult, husband, father of two, part of a family
and part of the larger community. To be where
I am currently in my life, I did have to have a view of what I wanted, at some
prior point in my life, and where I needed to head. Yes, there are always digressions and
distractions, but stepping back always helps to refocus the course. For the person that my friend was talking to,
the gentle reminder he provided was the view of the bigger picture – he merely
readjusted the rudder. Sometimes, we all
need that gentle nudge.
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