Detail is important, but the big picture is what counts
It is all too easy to get lost in the details and ignore the big picture. After all, the details get us from A to B and B to C in our daily life. For example, if you're writing a book, your immediate concentration will be on the chapter you're trying to finish and not on the book. While focusing on details is important, it is imperative to take a step back and see the bigger picture from time-to-time. Looking at the bigger picture helps you understand where it is that you're heading and gives you a clearer vision of your goals. Through this article we hope to make a case in favour of keeping the bigger picture in sight at all times.
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Details have a tendency to bog you down
While there is no taking away from the fact that details are important, there is also the other point that concentrating solely on details makes you get lost in the mass of actions. If you feel like your life is getting monotonous, that you're doing the same thing day in and day out, you need to stop running and take a step back to look at the bigger picture. For example, you might work 50 hours a week to get everything done, but the next week is not going to be any different. When this happens, ask yourself where you're heading and take a moment to look at your life goals objectively.
The bigger picture helps you keep your final destination in sight
If you want to start your own business to finally do what you love and spend more time with friends and family, you need to plan your actions so as to accomplish just that. The bigger picture allows you to keep your eyes trained on the ultimate goals. However, with the day-to-day details bogging you down, you might end up taking on more workload than you imagined. This happens when you lose sight of the bigger picture and end up looking just a couple of steps ahead. To shift your focus back to the end goals, learn to delegate important tasks to your team so you can spend more time with family and friends and work lesser hours.
Don't let new developments come in the way of your end goals
There will always be changes happening around you that will shift your focus away from the bigger picture. What matters in the long run is how strong and persistent you manage to remain towards achieving your end goals. Let's say you're planning to switch careers and just when you're about to take up a job in a whole different sector, there is a new opportunity in your current field that looks enticing. However, if you have decided once and for all that you don't want to pursue your current field anymore, stick to your decision and make the switch. This is where having your eyes trained on the bigger goal comes in handy.
If you have a problem focusing on the bigger picture or you get easily overwhelmed by the little details, keep the above points in mind to help you stay focused at all times.
