Big Sky? Bigger Picture...

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Could you benefit from a dose of Big Sky Therapy?

Many of the Founders and CEOs I've worked with over the years are based in very urban locales. Headquartered and housed in places where - particularly in the darkest months of winter - their views are restricted by the cityscape around them.

Places where even the biggest of urban parks are frequently hemmed in by high rise buildings, and where the constant hustle and energy of big city living can begin to feel suffocating.

For many Founders, this urban environment can become a mental cage bounded by never-ending to-do lists and constant meetings that keep them stuck in a strategic rut.

There is an antidote to this, however. A secret weapon you - like them - might be overlooking: harnessing the power of wide-open spaces.

Studies show that expansive views, like those you get by being on the edge of a big coastline, at the top of a high hill or mountain, or in the middle of a expansive plain or even a desert, can trigger a shift in thinking.

Here's how big skies benefit your startup brain:

• Clarity of Thought: The vastness you see reduces your cognitive load, allowing you to step back from daily minutiae and see the bigger picture.
• Enhanced Creativity: The absence of visual clutter stimulates fresh ideas and innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Strategic Perspective: Gazing at the horizon encourages you to think long-term, setting ambitious goals for your company's future.

So if you're feeling stuck in a post-winter rut, or suffocated by year-end planning, maybe it's time for you to ditch the lab or the boardroom in favor of drinking in a breath-taking vista for a day or so.

The joy of it is that you almost certainly don't have to go far from home to access big sky magic - there are few places in the US (and virtually nowhere this side of the pond) where a couple of hours drive can't take you away from both high-rise living and suburban sprawl ??

Handy hint though: forest glades - whilst awfully romantic - are just as claustrophobic as city centres. You're aiming for BIG skies here...

What I've been doing this week

As the mom to a 16 (nearly 17) year-old daughter and the wife to a teacher, this week has seen me doing very little except being part of a family and being on holiday.

It's been a chance to rest and rejuvenate my thinking (or "rejuvinate" as the signs on our park's sand dune project says ????♀?), and it's been the first time since the Christmas holidays that we've managed to get away to our vacation cabin/weekend hideaway in SW Scotland.

That sounds posh doesn't it? Vacation cabin...

Actually, it's a 38 x 12ft aluminum box - albeit one with all mod cons, great wifi, central heating and a power shower that's better than the one at home.

It also faces South East at one end of an 8-mile hard-packed sandy beach, where the low tide mark is nearly a mile down the bay, and where the slope of the beach is so shallow that even at high tide the water is no more than about 5 feet deep.

It's a beach that has shaped my life, and my daughter's life, for 12 years - and my husband's since 1976 - and is utter bliss for 3 water-loving labradors. Hell, even our hamster comes over to stay with us in his "summer palace" ??.

Best of all? It's in a part of Scotland that takes a very long time to get to, yet is a microcosm of everything that people think makes Scotland an awesome place to visit.

In other words, stunning, majestic, awe-inspiring, mercurial, and frequently wet and windy - and very, very rural. And yes, I have missed it...

Could you tell?

What I'm Reading

Apart from my ever-constant addiction to news media (WaPo, Sky News, the Guardian and the NY Times - which probably tells you everything you need to know about me ??), the only "work" book I've been re-reading this week is Thinking, Fast and Slow by the great (and now sadly late) Daniel Kahneman.

If you haven't read this before, you should read it now. It was the first book that explained to me why I had so many problems (as an economic development consultant) with the traditional economist's viewpoint that people behaved or made decisions rationally.

I'm also re-reading Terry Pratchett's Pyramids - which also says pretty much the same thing...

The link will take you to the getAbstract authorised version.

Substacks worth subscribing to:? as promised, I've compiled a list of my must-read Substacks, which you can find here.

Three Pillars of Growth?? - 3 Things to Do This Week

1. Strategy: Embrace Scenario Planning. Don't just plan for the "best case" scenario. This week, dedicate time to brainstorming potential challenges and disruptions that could impact your business. Consider economic downturns, competitor innovations, or changes in customer behavior. Develop contingency plans for these scenarios to ensure you can adapt and remain competitive. One of my mantras with my clients is: "You should always have an Alternative Plan B (and a C, D, E and F...)!"
2. Structure: Leverage the Power of Asynchronous Communication. Constant meetings can fragment focus and stall progress. This week, explore tools for asynchronous communication like project management software, internal wikis, or team chat platforms. Encourage clear documentation and information sharing outside of meetings, allowing teams to work more efficiently on their own time.
3. Leadership: Invest in Your Personal Development. As a leader, your growth is crucial for company growth. Consider attending a leadership workshop, reading a business book, or hiring a coach. Sharpening your skills empowers your team.

Bonus Tip: Schedule time for self-reflection. Analyze what's working well and what needs improvement across all three areas. Remember, consistent evaluation and adaptation are key to success.

Wondering whether YOUR Three Pillars of Growth?? are built on solid foundations?? Find out with our FREE (and absolutely no obligation) Three Pillars Power Assessment??

I'll Leave You Now With These Golden Nuggets? ? ? ?

• This week's quote: "Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving." Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky
• Give it a try: I drop in and out of using it, but I always come back to using Calm when I'm feeling stressed and need to take a short pause or to help me drift off at night when I've had a particularly challenging day and my mind is racing. I got into it when Amex offered it free to all their customers during the early stages of the pandemic, and even use their deep sleep music to settle the dogs at night...

Ready to unlock the power of big sky thinking?

Share your favorite escape spots in the comments below!