Always Ask the Bigger Question

When trying to solve a problem, we tend to get lost in the detail and forget the bigger issue in front of us. Pausing and asking the larger question almost always opens up new avenues of creativity to clear an obstacle.

• Instead of wondering why an app won’t work, ask why are you staring at your phone all day long.
• Instead of wondering why someone won’t call you back, ask how important that relationship is to you.
• Instead of wondering why the data you are analyzing isn’t making any sense, ask what is the larger story in your industry, then consider if the data is showing similar trends.

By asking the bigger question, you solve for the bigger problem. This has a broader impact than the immediate challenge you are looking to solve.