Oil disaster in Gulf of Mexico… downsizing in an organization… tweaking the finances for quarterly reporting… eating too much!!  Each of these are examples of where limited view or short term thinking has been used and resulted in undesirable consequences. Do you think with a limited view or broader/long term view?

Having a limited view or short term thinking provides instant satisfaction and perceived solutions to a problem. However, as you have experienced, this often creates ongoing and often escalating consequences. Some possible reasons for this limited view mindset are:

• fear of failure or loss
• pressure for results in a timeframe that is unrealistic
• assumption that quick is better than quality
• ego and self centered focus
• misunderstanding of actual goal or expectations
• and the list could go on.

The consequence of short term thinking may occur fairly quickly or it may take months to occur. Yet, it will occur. And that is what is so odd about how many times short term thinking is chosen… history, financial markets, organizations, individuals, everyone knows that the limited view has downsides… yet we think “Well, just this once.” or “No one will notice.” or “My boss expects it.”  Even while our gut, our small voice within is saying/yelling “Something’s not right with this.” or “Stop, not again.”

What does it take to stop using limited thinking and consider the long term view? In my opinion, it is:

• trust in yourself
• values of integrity and ethics
• confidence to express an alternative viewpoint
• consideration for ‘what if’ scenarios
• desire to feel at peace

If you recognize that you tend to have a limited view or short term thinking and would like to transition to naturally thinking more long term, then contact Robin Graham to discuss how to shift your mindset.