Get Real by Getting Specific
I like generalizations because they help us efficiently comprehend the vast number of specifics out there. But sometimes I stay general to reduce work or avoid facing reality, and that’s not helpful.
Specifics help me face reality because specifics are real in a way that generalizations are not. Specifics actually exist. Generalizations are logical abstractions in our brains, and might be imaginary. Also, specific cases are complex while generalizations are oversimplified by definition.
Getting specific takes more time, research, and mental effort, but it often spotlights the surprising and uncomfortable parts we would otherwise miss.
In the spirit of this post, the following examples are drawn from specific experiences I’ve had recently at work, church, and home.
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| This option is popular with our customers. | 54% of customers have selected this option in the last week. |
| Our goal is to sell more panels. | Our goal is to beat last year’s sales of panels by 20% this month. |
| We need to evaluate our effectiveness by the spiritual growth of our congregation. | Let’s select three random people from our member list each month and evaluate our effectiveness by their individual spiritual growth. |
| I want you to pick up your toys. | If your toys are not picked up in 5 minutes you will lose them permanently. |
| I have struggles like everyone else. | Last week I struggled with anxiety about forgetting things and making mistakes. |
| I want the new hire to share our company values and have the right skills. | I will rate each candidate on a scale of 1 to 10 on the following 22 qualifications. (I made that spreadsheet today, I’m not kidding.) |
| Conditions in Haiti are really bad. | Some Haitians have sold children into slavery for $150 or even less. |
In anything from business plans to performance evaluation, do your homework and get specific. It’s a reality check.