Another winner!! As I read this, I couldn't help but wonder about Silicon Valley's mantras of "move fast and break things" and "you're going to fail, fail early". Jazz musicians have a saying: "If you make a mistake in a solo, make it at least twice. Then, it's not a mistake, it's cool and innovative."
Sometimes stepping back to gain clarity can also backfire. It can be a response to a threat, just one that hides behind intellectual distance. The tension stays. The expectations, too.
When it actually works, the step back comes from confidence instead.
An honest recognition of the anxiety, a clear view of the fear, and of the bias shaping it.
From that place, leaving the situation creates space.
And in that space, a spontaneous thought often appears, offering a new perspective.
I like the analogies that you've used (hammer/magnifying glass). They make sense. I see the patterns you've described all the time. And strangely enough, it's for the big projects/decisions that decision-making goes too fast. "Let's implement this, that's gonna be great" -> hold up, does that make sense? Have you looked at various outcomes? Why is this a bad idea?
Conversely, we overthink the small decisions. The details that we should be able go agree on in a matter of hours, we spent days and weeks arguing about, essentially slowing everything down. Ironically, if we would have used the magnifying glass more in the beginning, hammering down the small decisions later would go much faster.
Thanks for putting me on this thought train Farida! 😁
Spot on! That’s why I’m on a little hiatus, or digital detox, whichever way you want to call it. And I already have a bag full of ideas and content to come back to 🔥
Another winner!! As I read this, I couldn't help but wonder about Silicon Valley's mantras of "move fast and break things" and "you're going to fail, fail early". Jazz musicians have a saying: "If you make a mistake in a solo, make it at least twice. Then, it's not a mistake, it's cool and innovative."
Great article Farida
Let me add something from my own experience.
Sometimes stepping back to gain clarity can also backfire. It can be a response to a threat, just one that hides behind intellectual distance. The tension stays. The expectations, too.
When it actually works, the step back comes from confidence instead.
An honest recognition of the anxiety, a clear view of the fear, and of the bias shaping it.
From that place, leaving the situation creates space.
And in that space, a spontaneous thought often appears, offering a new perspective.
I agree with you on space , I call it pause. Sometimes even fresh air can help us make better decisions
Yes… probably always.
I would love to see that clarity, pause, couldl also help us solve big problems. I think clarity helps… but some patterns mysteriously persist.
I like the analogies that you've used (hammer/magnifying glass). They make sense. I see the patterns you've described all the time. And strangely enough, it's for the big projects/decisions that decision-making goes too fast. "Let's implement this, that's gonna be great" -> hold up, does that make sense? Have you looked at various outcomes? Why is this a bad idea?
Conversely, we overthink the small decisions. The details that we should be able go agree on in a matter of hours, we spent days and weeks arguing about, essentially slowing everything down. Ironically, if we would have used the magnifying glass more in the beginning, hammering down the small decisions later would go much faster.
Thanks for putting me on this thought train Farida! 😁
We all fall for it . But if we pause and took a moment to reflect we will make better decision.
Happy it resonates with you
Spot on! That’s why I’m on a little hiatus, or digital detox, whichever way you want to call it. And I already have a bag full of ideas and content to come back to 🔥
I relate. will be waiting for your ideas 🙌🏼