In order to make large changes to improve your life or situation, you may find it most helpful to go upstream and make small changes.
What does this mean?
Well, think of a creek that floods over the road every time it rains. You could tear up the road and install a larger culvert or build a bridge or put up warning signs and flood level gauges.
Or, you could follow the creek upstream and make smaller changes. What if you diverted part of water or created new waterways that branch off of the problematic creek? Perhaps beavers could help. Maybe you could link this creek to another ditch or lake.
Essentially, by going upstream to make minor changes you could effectively solve a big problem.
Application.
Let’s say you have a major problem with overeating, a relationship, or productivity at work. Identifying the problem is one thing. But, what if you follow it upstream? Is there one small thing you could change that might have a positive impact on the larger problem. Is there one small habit you could begin that might alter the results you are currently getting?
I bet so. Maybe one small change won’t fix it all, but could that lead to progress and improvement? Probably so.
Right now, identify one major problem. Follow it upstream. Take a look around. Think about it, ask for advice, get a second opinion. Then make one small change and see what happens.
Worth Repeating
We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.
-Albert Einstein
