🌸🥇Congratulations South Africa: Chelsea Flower Show - By Jonathan Broekman

Good news stories about South Africa's achievements make me very proud to be a South African. Amidst the uncertainties in the run-up to the Elections, we have bloomed on a worldwide stage. What an achievement!



Photo: Mandy Ackerman

"South Africa stole the show at this year's RHS Chelsea flower show when it won a gold medal with perfect scores from the RHS judges as well as awards for the "Best Exhibit in the Pavilion" and the "Best New Design" award. This is unprecedented for South Africa at the Chelsea Flower Show. RHS president Keith Weed CBE presented the awards to the team on the opening day of the London show." - Daily Maverick

This got me thinking about how such a masterpiece was created. It is the sum of many challenging twists and turns, determination and grit, from securing funding to conceptualisation to the delivery with small details that create an incredible end display. But it all started with a vision! Without the big picture, creating a cohesive display of creativity and splendour is almost impossible.

Many flowers make up one bigger spectacular picture.
 
This can relate to all the goals we have in our lives. South Africans, in particular, are very hardworking and resilient, so we sweat it out. But do we have our end goal mapped out? Can we design our end goal and navigate the challenges to get there?

I was recently navigating a challenging property transaction, and I focused too much on the minor details, not the more significant transaction. Not all of us are always fully conscious of this when living under these trying conditions, and so it's difficult to remain true to ourselves. 

The details are essential but If you cannot control it, why worry about it? While it's true that the sum of the more minor things makes up the big picture, getting worked up over the things we cannot control often creates more animosity and distraction. Let it go, and focus on what you can do to reach your goal. 

In order to truly measure the weight of our lives, it is not a measure of one perspective or the other but that of both and how we navigated through it. This is a great ideal to strive for, but unfortunately, we get a little lost along the way sometimes.

Big Picture Thinking

Companies and organisations are increasingly adopting forward-thinking strategies to navigate the future effectively. This head-on approach is critical for success and is a key component of developing mental resilience when challenged with momentary obstacles. Consistency in working towards the end goal is imperative.

Where to start?  The Design

Write it down and draw pictures, no matter how absurd you think it is. Dan Sullivan's book 10x is Easier than 2x challenges conventional wisdom about growth and improvement, urging individuals and organisations to think bigger and more creatively to achieve extraordinary results. Put down the impossible goal: winning the Chelsea Flower Show. Leon Kluge and artist Tristan Woudberg didn't set out not to bring home the gold. 

Stop being a pedant

Detail-oriented folks, this one might take a lot of work to hear. But your perfectionism is holding you back from seeing the Big Picture. If you always strive for the perfect plan, you're likely stuck in the short term. Challenge yourself to let go a little and embrace a broader perspective.

Challenge yourself

Consider your thought processes and possible counter arguments to your big-picture ideas. What challenging questions might come up? What higher-level critiques could you face? Be prepared, not romantic.

It is a good time to be a South African. We need more positive stories. No matter the outcome of the elections, we are a sum of resilient, hardworking people who can overcome many obstacles.  

Stay positive, Jonathan Broekma