In contrast, I'm not particularly fond of the part that comes afterward. The acting part. No. Not movie acting, although I've read a few lines in front of a camera before [#wink]. I'm speaking about the act of doing.
Now why would someone who loves tackling big issues, hate seeing them through? Well, fortunately for you, this is not a post on the analysis of brain chemistry, so we'll leave those topics for future posts.
My propensity for tackling gargantuan tasks hit me as I recently stumbled upon an article/presentation about low-tech innovation. In it, Jonathon Ford of Pearlfisher (a design company), talks about his work with the Haller Foundation in Kenya. He discussed Dr. Haller's mantra of "Think big, act small." while talking about the sustaining effort he made with communities in the country. Coming from the corporate consulting world, this simple little phrase really resonated with me.
Organizations are typically always in a state of action. Like gears in a giant machine, providing service or producing products, employees are always at various stages of "do" and "act". Even as thinkers, how often do we get caught up in the "act" of thinking? Not only thinking, but thinking in the context of the bigger picture? "Is what I'm doing adding value?" "Am I contributing to something greater than myself?"
Let's apply this concept to our daily lives outside of work. While we go about our day, interacting, planning, doing, do we neglect "thinking big"? More often than not, our vision is likely cast on the trees rather than the forest.
It is important to realize that despite our small (or large) acts during the course of a day, week or month, these actions add up to a big picture that represents a life that we lead. This big picture perspective can often set things in context and simplify the tasks we have in front of us, providing a sense of purpose and resolve.
Don't let the small brush strokes of you lifes' tapestry distract you from the story it wants to tell.
