Big Picture vs Detail Oriented

"O, the month of May, the merry month of May,
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green"

Last year at this time, I had just attended my daughter's college graduation and now a year later, I am writing this ezine as I wing my way to visit her in Boston where she has her first job. What a difference a year can make!

We start to descend and I look out of the window at 10,000 feet over Boston. It really is that aerial view, so vast, so big picture-like. I sit up and take notice. The vastness of the blue sky, rays of sun and sea of green treetops look so fresh and alive. Yes, spring is here and summer is knocking on the door. Spring means new growth, opportunity, planting and possibilities.

A change of scenery can be a good thing for a fresh perspective. Lately, my life has been a lot about detail: meetings, deadlines, meeting goals and moving forward. It feels good to look down at the landscape and see the big picture of Boston, to see the lay of the land.

Some of us are naturally, big picture people. Some of us have a preference for close-up, detail oriented. We need both kinds of people. Both skills are beneficial. Both skills are needed on the job, needed in life. We often feel more comfortable with one versus the other, but being able to develop both and call it forward when you need it is a worthwhile exercise. Can you move between the two?

Like me, you might find one easier than the other, but wait-there's hope! Yes, we usually have a preference, but with awareness and intention to improve on a skill, you can increase you ability to think big picture or detail.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Form the big picture in your mind and let your life be guided toward it. It often helps to write or sketch what you see or sense. People who are big picture thinkers focus on the future. They can visualize the end product in their mind. They might orchestrate or employ the people they need to connect the dots and fill in the detail to accomplish the goal.

2. Need more big picture thinking? Let the big picture be the lighthouse that sends out the beacon of light to guide to direct your boat to shore.

3. Now for the detail. Adjusting the sail and moving the rudder will bring your boat to safe harbor. The tacking and small adjustments help you to move forward and accomplish your goal. Keep your eye on the beacon of light and not just the waves lapping at your boat.

4. You need a destination or plan to move forward, otherwise your boat can move in circles. People with a preference for detail need to know what the plan or goal is or need to create the plan before getting into action. Once the plan is laid out, they are generally able to move it along. Forward the action, deepen the learning!

As we celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, I am thinking about the price of freedom. As they say, freedom isn't free. Some have chosen to serve our country to defend our freedom. They made a career choice and I am grateful for their service. Some have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Their life and career path through military service may have ended.

Despite the difficult job market and uncertain financial times, I hope you will honor their service and continue to work or job search with American pride, courage and integrity. I wish you stamina, perseverance and wish you well in your endeavors!

CAREER TIP:

I was asked recently, what do you think is the most important part of a resume? I replied, "The CAREER SUMMARY OR CAREER PROFILE!"

Why??

It's one of the first things to hit the reader. That's important. The SUMMARY or PROFILE has replaced the Objective. Throw out any old resources from the 80's or 90's or earlier! Don't date yourself with an old resume format!

It's what's up front that is important. A SUMMARY is an eye-catcher and in a few lines, summarizes what the candidate can do or bring to the table. Keep it tight and do not use "I" in the statement. The SUMMARY is the frosting on the cake (your resume). Make it appealing to the reader.

One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. - Andre Gide

Need more? Call me for a free consultation.

Barbara Wulf
Beckon Call
...what's yours?