Dream Big, Act Small
Yesterday I was working with a team who was working on a very long-term kind of change. They were really stuck, spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to achieve the end state. That is a mistake. Abraham Lincoln said:
“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.â€
Don’t try to create the entire future in one step. Know where you’re headed. Dream big. But act in one step at a time toward your dream. Take your first step. You don’t even have to know what the next step will be. But don’t let that stand in the way of taking your first step.
Dream Big. Act Small.
Nice short, sweet lesson, Jamie, and it’s a good one. I think the notion of trying to accomplish a future state all at once is fostered by trying to “do lean” in the “event mode” – especially rapid improvement events. We often think we have to wrap it all up in a neat tidy package within a tight timeframe.
Nice short, sweet lesson, Jamie, and it’s a good one. I think the notion of trying to accomplish a future state all at once is fostered by trying to “do lean” in the “event mode” – especially rapid improvement events. We often think we have to wrap it all up in a neat tidy package within a tight timeframe.
Nice short, sweet lesson, Jamie, and it’s a good one. I think the notion of trying to accomplish a future state all at once is fostered by trying to “do lean” in the “event mode” – especially rapid improvement events. We often think we have to wrap it all up in a neat tidy package within a tight timeframe.
Excellent post Jamie. It’s really common for people/organizations to expect to reach the end-goal very quickly. Once they come to the realization that their goal is a series of steps that take considerable time and effort, frustration and doubt often surface. This usually prompts me to bring out one of my favorite quotes: “How do you eat a cow? One hamburger at a time.”
Excellent post Jamie. It’s really common for people/organizations to expect to reach the end-goal very quickly. Once they come to the realization that their goal is a series of steps that take considerable time and effort, frustration and doubt often surface. This usually prompts me to bring out one of my favorite quotes: “How do you eat a cow? One hamburger at a time.”
Excellent post Jamie. It’s really common for people/organizations to expect to reach the end-goal very quickly. Once they come to the realization that their goal is a series of steps that take considerable time and effort, frustration and doubt often surface. This usually prompts me to bring out one of my favorite quotes: “How do you eat a cow? One hamburger at a time.”
Mark, I think the key message is that it’s never wrapped up, so we shouldn’t try. The recovering engineer in me wants it to be perfect, but that’s never going to happen.
Tom, I think people can get frustrated if there is confusion and inconsistency in the goals and achievements. Actively managing this conversation is important.
Mark, I think the key message is that it’s never wrapped up, so we shouldn’t try. The recovering engineer in me wants it to be perfect, but that’s never going to happen.
Tom, I think people can get frustrated if there is confusion and inconsistency in the goals and achievements. Actively managing this conversation is important.
Mark, I think the key message is that it’s never wrapped up, so we shouldn’t try. The recovering engineer in me wants it to be perfect, but that’s never going to happen.
Tom, I think people can get frustrated if there is confusion and inconsistency in the goals and achievements. Actively managing this conversation is important.
“Recovering Engineer…” I love that term! LOL! I agree with you that it’s never wrapped up completely, but there reaches a time when, at least for a time span, where there may be long lulls until the next improvements, whether in small increments or breakthroughs, occur. I was originally taught lean in the “event” mode, and I probably suffer from some of the diseases that fosters. Maybe I’m what Adam Zak would call a recovering “Kaizen Kowboy” although I’ve never been a consultant…
“Recovering Engineer…” I love that term! LOL! I agree with you that it’s never wrapped up completely, but there reaches a time when, at least for a time span, where there may be long lulls until the next improvements, whether in small increments or breakthroughs, occur. I was originally taught lean in the “event” mode, and I probably suffer from some of the diseases that fosters. Maybe I’m what Adam Zak would call a recovering “Kaizen Kowboy” although I’ve never been a consultant…
“Recovering Engineer…” I love that term! LOL! I agree with you that it’s never wrapped up completely, but there reaches a time when, at least for a time span, where there may be long lulls until the next improvements, whether in small increments or breakthroughs, occur. I was originally taught lean in the “event” mode, and I probably suffer from some of the diseases that fosters. Maybe I’m what Adam Zak would call a recovering “Kaizen Kowboy” although I’ve never been a consultant…