On every personality test that’s out there, I come up solidly in the thinker/detail-oriented/analytical/fact-finding quadrant. This has its good points, but can also have a down side.
One of the things I have to remember is that not everyone is as focused on the little details all being correct and that I need to think before I speak when responding to people, especially at work. I have to frequently remind myself to step back and look at the big picture – is this specific thing that is bothering me really important in the grand scheme of things? And isn’t the way I address the situation just as important as getting it fixed?
Another difficulty that comes up quite a lot for me is an inability to make a decision and be happy with it. Part of being an analytical person is feeling that there must be one right decision and if you have all the pertinent facts, it will be an obvious one. That can lead me to continuing to gather data well past the point where I should be choosing my path and moving forward.
Because this issue has begun to interfere with my life in various ways, including one of my new responsibilities at work, I have decided to focus on this area for a while and see if I can make a change. I am starting a list of the things I do that are outside my comfort zone in this area so that I can see my progress.
First on the list would be writing this post in less than 10 minutes and publishing it without any extra work (notice I didn’t go find out the names of the different personality test and what their specific tags are for my personality type).
My next item is to go hand in the first part of my SEO project without checking over the results one more time (trust me, I have already analyzed it to death and your guess is as good as mine as to whether my final choices will work out the way I want).
Anyone out there like me? Or is everyone else a big picture person already?
{ 10 comments }
Scott is just like you and I on the other hand am very BIG picture. I would totally float away though if it were not for the detailed/analytically marvels like yourself and Scott. That is why we need each other! That is very encouraging and makes me stop and think about how I tend to see things from my perspective and probably frustrate you guys because I am always way too unorganized and missing many details. Now I need to seriously change my view too. You have inspired me!! I will let you know how I do!
.-= Livin’´s last blog ..My Meltdown =-.
I am definitely a big picture thinker in that I am always focused on what will come down the road as a result of this action or this decision. And I see things as related and connected that I’m told others don’t always connect. . .
But, I do get caught in details often, which I attribute to my high need for excellence and what I perceive as perfection. I’ve gotta work on that – no one ever expects me to be perfect but me. I am very hard on myself and my internal dialogue tends to be mostly critical and bent toward doing it better the next time. . . Working on that too.
.-= The Gang’s Momma´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
I’m big-picture, but my husband is details. Most of the time this works out really well…except when I need to do a project quickly, like cleaning the house in less than two hours. I appreciate you detail folks because, without you, our efforts would be incomplete.
.-= Classic Mama´s last blog ..The Attack on Family =-.
Self reflection is so valuable – its great you are so self aware
I am the opposite of you !! All big picture, intuitions, relationships and people
.-= Kajoli´s last blog ..Weekly round up W/o October 17 ( DAN, Recipes ) =-.
Oh, I am an anylitical details person. But if you are aware of the downside and work on it, that is great!
.-= rickismom´s last blog ..The Wrong Number =-.
I’m an odd mixture of both. Mostly big picture, but I base the big picture on my understanding of the details. Sometimes I get bogged down because the details show me all the various options, and if I do “this” then this will happen but if I do “that” then that will happen, and throw in some of “these” and then all of these will happen, but not if I do “those” and on and on it goes. I can really make myself crazy. I’ve learned to trust my intuition and use details to back it up. Keep the big picture in mind, see if the details back up my assertion, and if they don’t, pick another path.
When I’m working with an author, either as publisher or editor, I am the big picture person. I have a GREAT copy-editor who is the detail person. Between the two of us, we are the perfect editor.
.-= terena´s last blog ..Terena vs. the Steak =-.
Oh, I am exactly like you! It can be very difficult for me to see the big picture, or to get my mind to stop obsessing over decisions/options/etc.
On a slightly-related note, I once read that highly analytical / fact-finder people are often the ones who have the hardest time sleeping, because they can’t shut off their brains or tear themselves away from mulling over details. I was glad to at least know *why* sleep can be so elusive at times!
.-= Katrina @ Callapidder Days´s last blog ..Friday’s Fave Five =-.
Don’t worry…I’m not already like that. In fact, it’s difficult to sometimes look at the bigger picture and many times I’m reminding myself to do so. I do it with parenting, husband/wife things, life things. I try in every arena I come in contact with and many time the bigger picture doesn’t stop and slap me in the head before I’ve already gone down the “little nibble” road. Sigh.
.-= MiaHysteria´s last blog ..Free Vaccination Clinic~Examiner Article =-.
My nature is just like you, but I have learned to be big picture (sometimes. You are probably a lot younger than me).
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..Transitions Transfers and In-between =-.
I have an award for you at my personal blog. justme-leah.blogspot.com
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Day 23 =-.
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