The last lesson of
our Leadership Training class was on the topic of 'Big-picture Thinking' skill.
Big-picture Thinking!
If you asked me before I read the book- 'Thinking for a change' if I had
Big-picture Thinking...I would have answered Yes I DO. Previously I thought, as
long as I accommodate perspectives and needs of others in my choices...I
consider myself to be a big picture thinker. Further to that, I considered
myself to be a Big-picture thinker when I had the ability to see a situation in
a broader perspective for my family with reference to my professional
perspective which would add value in the relevant matters. This to me was good
for my family members; hence they should then follow my advice with my
professional point of view.
But I now think my understanding of
Big-picture Thinking may not be completely true.
"We all live
under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon".
This line gave me a
very big impact on the way I used to think; prior to this I understood the
language but not the meaning of the line. I should not see from my own
world/perspective when family members refuse to follow what I think is good for
them. I should not limit myself by other people's opinion when I believe in
what I see as best in a situation. People may choose to live in their horizons
but I will be courageous to continue to see my horizon with the good thinking
for my life and choices.
Learn continually,
listen intentionally, live completely and look expansively are the mindset which
should be adopted in the thinking process to achieve my horizon. From these, I
have far more to learn.
During the discussion, we had to rate ourselves from the scale of 1-10 as a big picture thinker. Initially my big picture thinking is base on three different roles - me in my personal growth, me in my career, and me in my family. With this way of thinking, hence I have different ratings too! But big picture thinking is a skill; if it is a skill...it should not differ when in different situations. It should have one rating and not three! The mindset should be considered as a whole, it won't be totally different even at different roles.
I used to view
challenges with a situational view of overcoming it. I found myself to be
impatient easily when challenges crossed my path in a situation then. However,
seeing another way of viewing my challenges, I have observed my new ability to
be able to overcome the negative emotions (impatience) when I implement
Big-picture thinking with a vision as a target, instead of just a good
situation as a target. This enables me to prepare myself to deal with my
challenges instead of trying to push it away.
The way I now think is...How free are you/me? If I have limitations in my mind because of what others think and say (the situation), then that will be the size of my thinking! - telling myself.
After attending the leadership class, I always link my past to current. I begin to connect all the dots and I now believe I have the potential to become a leader! I have never settled for certainty, I took up the challenge to study physiotherapy when I was 26 years old. I gave myself permission to expand my world; I put myself in an environment where the good thinkers are. I learn from every experience and gain insight from a variety of people; I try to understand what/why/how my seniors perform. I am not a leader YET to others, as sometimes I still sway in between the reality and idealism. But I have begun this journey by first beginning to lead myself from my dream and choices instead of from my situations. My situations do not limit my thinking. I have to unleash the potential of focused thinking to sharpen my thinking skill. How? To be continue, thinking skill 2- unleash the potential of focused thinking.
Shane Shing Mun Yin
The way I now think is...How free are you/me? If I have limitations in my mind because of what others think and say (the situation), then that will be the size of my thinking! - telling myself.
After attending the leadership class, I always link my past to current. I begin to connect all the dots and I now believe I have the potential to become a leader! I have never settled for certainty, I took up the challenge to study physiotherapy when I was 26 years old. I gave myself permission to expand my world; I put myself in an environment where the good thinkers are. I learn from every experience and gain insight from a variety of people; I try to understand what/why/how my seniors perform. I am not a leader YET to others, as sometimes I still sway in between the reality and idealism. But I have begun this journey by first beginning to lead myself from my dream and choices instead of from my situations. My situations do not limit my thinking. I have to unleash the potential of focused thinking to sharpen my thinking skill. How? To be continue, thinking skill 2- unleash the potential of focused thinking.
Shane Shing Mun Yin
