BY DANIEL COLE

Big picture thinking is the ability to look at a situation in its entirety with a well-refined perspective.

Big picture thinkers are not worried or overly concerned about temporal setbacks or challenges because they usually have a long-time frame of reference when making decisions or embarking on a project.

Big picture thinkers and detail-oriented thinkers are both needed and necessary in an organization; while the former focus on the big picture, the latter focuses on details. Striking a balance between the two is pivotal for success. Big picture thinkers are mostly optimists by nature. However, they are sometimes blinded to their own optimism bias. It is important to take into account the current reality and situation of things as you look at the bigger picture.

So, what are some effective strategies for becoming a big-picture thinker?

Use the mind mapping technique: Mind mapping is a technique for visually organizing information and ideas in a hierarchical and interconnected way. To use mind mapping for developing big-picture thinking, you can:

• Start with a central idea or topic in the centre of a page and draw branches for subtopics, supporting ideas, and details.
• Use images, symbols, and colours to make connections and distinguish between different types of information.
• Continuously review and expand your mind map as you gather more information and insights, connecting new ideas to existing ones and identifying patterns and relationships.
• Think critically and creatively, asking questions, making connections and considering multiple perspectives to help you see the big picture and understand the complexities of a situation.
• By using mind mapping to develop big-picture thinking, you can synthesize information, generate new ideas, and gain a more holistic and nuanced understanding of a topic.

Take a step back: “You can’t see the full picture when you are in the frame”, says the Motivational Guru Les Brown. But what does this mean? It means that it’s difficult to have an objective or complete perspective on a situation when you are directly involved in it. This can be because you are too close to the situation or too invested in the outcome. It’s often helpful to step back and look at things from a different angle to gain a more comprehensive understanding. In other words, it’s easier to see the whole picture when you are not directly in the picture yourself. When faced with a complex problem, it can be helpful to take a step back and look at the situation from a different perspective. This can help you see the broader context and understand how different elements are connected. Try to think about the problem in the context of your organization, industry, or society as a whole.

Surround yourself with big thinkers and positive influence: How you see life, approach problems, how big or small you think, and your frame of reference, is influenced by the people you do life with and the association your keep. Ask people to give you their unbiased perspectives or opinions on what you are trying to do. Use people as a sounding board to help you shape your perspective. Remember, “you can’t see the picture when you are in the frame.”

In conclusion, Success expert Brian Tracy rightly said, “Things are important to the extent that they have important consequences. Things are unimportant to the extent that they have no important consequences.” 

When faced with a choice, ask yourself, what would be the consequences of each option?

It is human nature to make rushed, emotional decisions based on incomplete information, and then regret those decisions later on. You can protect yourself from poor judgment by striving to attain the big picture when careful consideration is called for. Focus on the consequences of your decision before considering how you feel about it. Play with the cards you’ve been dealt, but look for opportunities in each situation and you will find them.

BY DANIEL COLE

Have you ever wondered why the Dark Ages was called Dark? It’s because there wasn’t much scientific, cultural or human development or advancement during that era if there were any at all; man’s state of existence was primitive. In the 1500s, people ascribed all events they didn’t understand to God. Why did the crops fail? God did it. Why did we have an earthquake? God did it. What holds the planets in place? God. But as man became more enlightened, we began the search for a more scientific understanding – physics, chemistry, biology, and so forth.

Man’s ability to think, in my opinion, is the greatest gift God gave to Mankind. Socrates, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Plato, Thales, and so many great Philosophers whose works and intellectual produce are still considered relevant today, existed before Christ was born, which underpins the limit of ‘religion and spirituality’ in man’s ability to critically think, and proffer practical solutions to his daily life problems. I have always believed that spirituality is not against reasoning. Our world has advanced not only because of financial resources but also because of an intellectual resource.

One of the most relevant skills in our world today is problem-solving, which I fondly refer to as “Thinking Skill.” The ability to critically think through a problem and proffer practical, workable solutions. The next new frontiers of our world will not be people who blindly accept popular views or generally accepted ideas, but rather, those who are not intellectually lazy to put in the time and effort to find relevant facts, collect data and through that extrapolates to a logical and rational conclusion.

People who are not afraid to question the ‘Truth’, not for the sake of proofing their ingenuity, but rather because they refuse to be held back by the result of somebody else’s thinking. And this is true of Albert Einstein; the world has believed the Isaac Newton law of gravitational pull for hundreds of years before Einstein proofs him wrong. Jim Collins wrote, “The best students are those who never believe their professors.”

In fact, for almost three decades, I have always believed Charles Darwin postulated the evolution theory, well, I was wrong, Darwin popularized the theory of evolution by natural selection, but the roots of the theory came from Greek philosophy. The idea dates back to centuries before Darwin. Three natural philosophers of the ancient world worked on the idea; they are Anaximander (c. 610 BC – c. 546 BC), Empedocles (495 BC – 435 BC) and Lucretius (99 BC – 55 BC). Bruce Calvert was right, “Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers.”

Today, with enough data to proof and scientific evidence available, we now believe the earth to be spherical. However, in the nineteenth century, during the Middle Ages, certain scholars have always believed that the earth was flat. The world is moving at the speed of thought and innovation. What informs your view about life? In a time where Google seems to have an answer to every question, we should ask ourselves, are we still thinking or we are unconsciously outsourcing it?

Take a thoughtful consideration of the things you’ve believed. Have you been indoctrinated to living life the way you’re living it? I am not suggesting taking a Nihilistic view of life, but stay curious, and stay informed. In the words of John Maxwell, “As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to become. Take action on your behaviour. Too many people want to feel, then take action. This never works.”

Thinking is a skill. We all need to be intentional about engaging in it. Remember, “The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.” Albert Einstein

BY DANIEL COLE

Intentional living is the act of consciously and deliberately making choices and decisions that align with your values, goals, and vision for your life. It involves taking control of your thoughts, actions, and habits, and being mindful of how they impact your overall well-being and happiness. As you brace yourself for the new year, how intentional are you about making the most of it?

Living intentionally requires self-reflection and the ability to prioritize what is most important to you. It means being proactive in creating the life you want, rather than simply reacting to the circumstances and demands placed upon you.

One of the main benefits of intentional living is that it helps to bring greater clarity and focus to your life. When you know what you want and why you want it, it becomes easier to make decisions and take action towards your goals. This can lead to a sense of direction and purpose, which can be incredibly fulfilling and motivating.

Intentional living also helps to eliminate distractions and unnecessary commitments, allowing you to focus on what truly matters to you. By being mindful of how you spend your time and energy, you can prioritize the things that bring you joy and fulfillment and let go of those that do not serve you.

Another benefit of intentional living is that it can improve your overall well-being and happiness. When you are living in alignment with your values and goals, it can bring a sense of contentment and fulfillment. Additionally, being proactive and in control of your life can help to reduce stress and increase feelings of accomplishment and confidence.

Intentional living can also have a positive impact on your relationships and connections with others. When you are clear about what you want and need, you are able to communicate your needs and boundaries more effectively. This can lead to healthier and more fulfilling relationships, as well as increased self-esteem and confidence.

However, it’s important to note that intentional living does not mean striving for perfection or never making mistakes. It’s about being mindful and aware of your choices and actions and being willing to adjust and course-correct when necessary. Living intentionally is refusing to live your life on autopilot; you are conscious and aware of your choices and decisions.

One way to practice intentional living is by setting clear goals and creating a plan to achieve them. This can involve breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps and creating a schedule or routine to help you stay on track. It can also be helpful to enlist the support of a coach or accountability partner to help keep you motivated and on track.

Another key aspect of intentional living is mindfulness and self-awareness. This involves being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It can be helpful to set aside time each day for reflection, journaling, or meditation to help increase your self-awareness and cultivate a greater sense of clarity and focus.

In conclusion, intentional living is the act of making conscious and deliberate choices that align with your values, goals, and vision for your life. It can bring greater clarity, focus, and well-being, as well as healthier and more fulfilling relationships. By setting goals, creating a plan to achieve them, and practicing mindfulness and self-awareness, you can live a more intentional and fulfilling life.

In the new year, don’t just mindlessly react to the event and the noises around you; think carefully about the necessity and importance of your engagement and participation. Be intentional about what you say, be intentional about keeping healthy boundaries around your life, and be intentional about the people you let into your space and circle. Live intentionally.