We all should consider the big picture, but it never happens. We’re constantly getting sucked into minutiae and forgetting to think what’s essential.
This post will walk through how to make time for big-picture thinking (and about time management), but it will also talk about why big-picture thinking is so critical and how you can ensure you do it regularly!
Recognize how vital big-picture thinking is
Big-picture thinking is crucial because it helps you make better decisions and see the forest for the trees. It also allows you to see your goals more clearly so you can prioritize your time to help you achieve them.
Identify the ways you get sucked into minutiae.
You’ll have to be honest with yourself in this process. You need to know the distractions sucking up your time and energy, but you also need to know how you get sucked into minutiae.
One way I’ve used to help me identify these things is by keeping a journal in which I make notes of what I do each day. Sometimes, it’s not so apparent at first glance; sometimes, after reviewing my notes over time, I realize how much time I’ve wasted on some trivial task or another.
Another way to identify these activities is to ask friends or co-workers what they see as your strengths and weaknesses (or perhaps have them complete a survey). If one or more people mention that they see certain behaviors as weaknesses (e.g., procrastination), there’s probably something going on there worth looking into further!
Block time on your calendar
To make time for big-picture thinking, block it on your calendar. Don’t just say, “I’ll find the time.” Block out time and make it a priority. Don’t let other things steal your attention from this critical task. If you don’t block out the time, you won’t do it because there will always be something else to take precedence.
If an issue needs immediate attention or someone needs something from you, move the block off your calendar and use the phone or email instead of face-to-face meetings (especially relevant when working with remote teams).
Get into nature
If you’re trying to grasp the big picture, there’s no better place to start than nature. Studies show that being outside can help you reduce stress and anxiety, think more clearly, feel more connected to your environment, and be more creative. Of course, none of these benefits are guaranteed, but they’re worth considering as you consider how best to spend your time thinking about the future.
Create a list of questions to answer as you think about your big project
To help you get started with your big-picture thinking, let’s review some questions to ask yourself as you think about your project.
- What do I want my blog to be?
- How do I want to grow my social media?
- How can I make more money with my blog?
- What am I passionate about?
Schedule breaks
Don’t feel like you have to work all day and all night every day of the week. Instead, schedule times when you won’t be working. This is a simple concept that many people don’t think about enough when trying to get more done.
Take breaks as often as possible!
It’s easy to get caught up in the importance of what we’re doing and forget that sometimes it’s essential to stop for a minute and breathe before continuing. So, use your Apple watch’s mindfulness app and take a minute of deep inhalation and exhalation. You will feel so much better after just 60 seconds! Even if it feels like time wasted, taking breaks will help keep us mentally fresh so we can give our best effort during those hours when we choose to work hard!
Big-picture thinking is essential
Big-picture thinking is critical and something we don’t do enough, but if you block the time, it can become routine and easy to do regularly. Here are some tips for blocking time on your calendar to do big-picture thinking:
- Commit that you’ll leave work at a particular time each day. Don’t get sucked into an email or answering messages right before the end of your workday.
- Block off half an hour at night or early in the morning (before breakfast) to plan what needs to be done tomorrow or next week. This will help you stay focused throughout your day instead of constantly looking at your list, which can make things seem overwhelming and crazy!
- Get outside! Nature calms us down, provides perspective, and allows us better access to our intuition about what we need in life vs. what others want from us because they’re stressed out too much by their busy schedules.”
Conclusion: How To Make Time for Big Picture Thinking
I hope this post has given you some valuable tips for making time for big-picture thinking and helping you get your mind in the right place for planning. If you’re still struggling with finding time, try blocking off a few hours on your calendar every week to think about your goals, plans, and dreams. You might be surprised at how much more productive it makes you!
3 Key Takeaways
- The Importance of Big-Picture Thinking: Big-picture thinking helps you see the broader context and make more informed choices. It aligns your actions with your long-term objectives, allowing you to focus on the most impactful tasks.
- Overcoming Distractions and Minutiae: Identify the distractions that consume your time and energy. Use journaling or feedback from others to understand your patterns—practice mindfulness techniques to stay present and avoid getting caught up in details.
- Creating Time for Big-Picture Thinking: Schedule dedicated time on your calendar to prioritize big-picture reflection. Establish clear work-life boundaries to avoid distractions during dedicated thinking time. Spending time in nature can enhance creativity, reduce stress, and facilitate more profound thought.