Learnings from Sir Sherlock Holmes
I made a conscious decision to read a fictional short story to break some of the heavier reading I typically lean towards. With the recommendation of my brother I picked up “A Study in Scarlet” a Sherlock Holmes classic.
I enjoyed the read through and through from start to finish. On the last page of the short story Sherlock summarizes how he so accurately was able to understand and solve the case.
“In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason backward. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy one, but people do not practise it much. In the everyday affairs of life it is much easier to reason forward, and so the other comes to be neglected.”
In operating Holstee we often think about the long term goals – growth, reach, new products, new experiences. Our partner and advisor, Fabian does an amazing job of helping keeping our eyes on the horizon – as Sherlock mentions, it’s just too easy to focus on the “everyday affairs of life” creating and reacting to items that appear on our daily radars.
This quote for Sherlock served as a great reminder to the importance of knowing where you want to take your dreams. People always say if you don’t know where you are going you will never get there – and I couldn’t sagree more. The next step is taking that goal and thinking analytically on how to get there.
I know this sort of Tony Robbins, self-fulfilling prophecy, style of thinking isn’t new news for you – and it wasn’t for me. All the same I think the idea of “solving the case” of our dreams and aspirations by thinking backwards is worth taking a moment to do more than think about. The real benefit comes from writing it.
If you are like me you have heard it, and felt inspired by it a million times – but have never actually taken the time to actually write it.
For me, this time is different. I am going to write it – and you should too 
Whether it develops into a strategic plan with measurable milestones for your business or the direction you want to see your personal life evolve into – write it down. I can’t see how you could regret it.