DON'T MISS THE FOREST FOR THE TREES







Pic.: Nishant Joshi

If a young-one asked me, what is the most valuable lesson I have for them, today, I would give them this:
“Don’t miss the forest for the trees.”
It means, see the ‘Big Picture’, always.

Often, working in a team – be it at job or home, be it at organizing events or sports, be it at business or religion – wherever and whenever we have to work with people, in teams, it is very, very important to understand the human nature... That, different people have different opinions... they have a huge need to be recognized, validated... That, they have egoes of their own, and their insecurities, too... Many of them have a dying need for appreciation, and many of them have a crazy greed for importance.. Some want to hog limelight, some like to bask in the shadow... Some are so insecure that they seldom share knowledge, seldom groom or empower others... Some are exactly opposite they keep nothing to themselves, they build people... Some want instant results, some can wait... Some believe only in what they see, and some see what they believe in... Some are blunt, outright crass... Some are gentle and tactful...

Yes, that’s how teams and organizations are made of... That’s how even a family is made of....

So, I would adivise the young-ones to recognize this truth on the very first day... and, focus on the ‘Big Picture’, always...  Yes, the ‘forest’ is big picture... the ‘trees’ are very, very small compared to the forest... If you get caught-up in the small trees, you will miss out on the forest, the big picture...

So, the next time your boss yells at you unreasonably...

The next time some of your colleagues show their desperation to hog credit for the work...

The next time some of your subordinates goof-up, make their mistakes...

The next time some members of your religious congregation try to show their importance...

The next time, your hard work is taken for granted, or even discarded, by your boss...

The next  time, your children frustrate you, your spouse makes you furious... your parents or teachers think that you are not good enough, even when you think you are...

Yes, the next time is the time to ignore the flaws, the taunts, the chides, the sulkings... the cold responses...

The next time is the time to focus on your own goodness, strength and faith...

The next time is the time to stay away from ego-clashes... and let the devil take away his dues...

The next time is the time to hold back your reaction... even it means swallowing your own pride...

Yes do it for the sake of ‘Big Picture’... To save the ‘Forest’, be willing to lose a ‘tree’ here and there, now and then...

Don’t get caught-up in silly fights, silly sulkings, silly mind-games... silly small trees, those petty issues stemming from human weakness...

At ever step we take, we come across these small trees of life...

Don’t lose sight of the ‘Forest’... the ‘Big Picture’...

Yes, my dear young-friend, it is one of the most valuable lessons in life...

My today’s lesson for you...

GERALD D’CUNHA


Comments

Dinesh Patel said…
Very useful post............ Dinesh Patel
September 15, 2014 at 5:05 PM
Anonymous said…
Excellent lesson, sir..
- Lalita Nair
September 16, 2014 at 8:45 AM
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