Why Should We Look At The Bigger Picture ?
Today's post 'why should we look at the bigger picture' is bought to you through the medium of dance, accompanied by a 'bootleg' copy of 'Pictures At An Exhibition' the Emerson, Lake and Palmer version.
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the moment and forget that quite often, there is much more going in the background. We become, what's the phrase that the 'go getter's' like to use ? 'Laser focused', yes, that's the one.
We border on the obsessive, such is our desire to complete or accomplish, whatever it is we have in our optics. We spend so much effort and intensity, that everything goes by the wayside.
"I have to do this, everything else can wait", "I need to get this done so that I can move forward" Sound familiar ?
Granted, there are times when that kind of focus is required but we need to make sure that we are justified in channeling all of our efforts into the particular item in question.
A couple of things popped into my cluttered mind, that took me off on this tangent. While not an ideal example, it does emphasize a way of thinking that doesn't always sit right with people. For me, it works towards thinking in terms of the 'bigger picture'
I like to buy and sell cars, mainly old Jaguars but in between those, anything that runs and drives. Under strict instructions to 'do it properly' I keep a journal that catalogues each vehicle. Within that, there would be an inventory of everything I had done to the vehicle.
When it came time to sell, I would tally up the overall cost and work from that to determine a selling price. Once the car sold, I would know if I had made a profit, broke even or made a loss.
I also kept a 'running total' and this was the figure I was more concerned with. If I sold two cars and made a profit on both, that combined figure was in my mind as I moved onto the next one. If, for whatever reason I made a loss, then the running total would be less and the cycle continued. Basic stuff. There's probably a name for it but I don't know what it is.
It wasn't unheard of to make a loss, sometimes there were unforeseen expenses or just bad luck. Other it was just me buying a 'lemon'. It did mean that I could sell more easily. I wasn't tied to a certain price which meant that I was more 'fluid'. It also allowed me the opportunity to invest more in a project, should I so desire.
I found that friends of mine would get 'stuck' with a car because they wouldn't budge on the price, as their margins wouldn't allow it. Their vision was too narrow. If I was 'up' then I was quite happy to lose a small amount, if it meant that I made the sale.
We can make things as complicated as we like. There's a whole host of things that we can focus on that will enhance our efforts. The truth of it all can be far simpler. Find your customers itch and scratch it.
On a side note, anyone remember that 'headlining' I mentioned a few weeks back ? Probably not. Well, I removed it from the vehicle last weekend and stripped off the manky, old, cloth lining. Today I recovered it and put it back in the car.
If I had bought a second hand headlining, it would have cost me around £200. The material I used, cost £27. So, that's more than paid for the 'challenge' I'm currently working my way through. I'm actually up by £92.39, in a virtual 'bigger picture' kind of way
Look at this, another short one. Have a fantastical weekend and make sure you stay safe, healthy and happy.
Wondering about the cover image ?
Twack Romero.
Recent Comments
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The old saying is, 'a penny saved is a penny earned'. Turn that around. A penny earned is a penny saved. If your coffers have at least one penny more than you had before you began, then you've earned a profit, regardless of amount.
The cover image. First thought was the very opening of the movie GIGI with Maurice Chevalier
Greg
Well that took me down a rabbit hole. Before my time, so I watched a trailer and remembered two of the songs. Now I have a list of the top ten Sci-Fi pics that never made it at the box office. Something to watch when I have more time.
I look at it a little bit different than you do that is the big picture. To me, the big picture will be the webinar on Wednesday 5/13/20 on the challenges of building our businesses during these times. Changing the "Cost" of your project is great if you get the price that you origninally wanted. Many times doing that causes problems down the road with more labor. Sometimes it is better to take somewhat less than you wanted and get on with other things that are more profitable. Time is the only thing that we really have and we need to leverage it the best way we can.
Very good post Twack.
Thank you Edward. These are wise words indeed, that you speak.
"Time is the only thing that we really have and we need to leverage it the best way we can."
That is so very true.
Thank you for taking the time to read my offering. Have a splendid weekend.
HA! Like it.
Find your customer's itch and scratch it.
I'm writing that in big red letters and taping on my wall opposite where I work on my laptop.
You nailed it Twack!
Louise
P.S. I like the picture. Emerson, Lake and Palmer...weren't they a band?
They were a band (proper prog rock) and did an album based on the classical piece by Mussorgsky.
The picture is one of my favourites by Georges Seurat 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte'.
You have to look at the whole picture to see it, if you look closely it's made up of thousands of tiny dots.
As for the line, I heard it on a video and it has stuck with me, as it sums up everything about what we do, in just a few words.
Thank you for popping in Louise, greatly appreciated.
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A friend reminded me to always look at the greater picture no matter what you are working at or with. The greater picture will always find your happy medium.
I have a friend that flips cars also and has the same mindset but that isn't as important as applying this mindset to what you are doing and never forget the greater vision or bigger picture. Nicely said
Thank you Linda, that's exactly it. I laways try to have the bigger picture at the forefront, regardless of where I am in the grand scheme of things.