I avoid grandiose plans. I start with a small piece that I can do. I go to the root of the problem and then work around it. It's building brick by brick.
Interpretation
Focusing on small, manageable tasks can lead to effective problem-solving and success over time.
This quote by Muhammad Yunus emphasizes the importance of taking a practical and grounded approach to achieving goals. Instead of getting overwhelmed by large, ambitious plans, it encourages individuals to break down their challenges into smaller, more manageable pieces and tackle them one step at a time. By addressing the core issues and building incrementally, individuals can create sustainable solutions and ultimately reach their objectives.
In practice
During a team meeting, I shared this quote to emphasize the importance of starting small in our project.
Civilization has given us enormous successes: going to the moon, technology. But then this is the civilisation that took us to debt, environmental crisis, every single crisis. We need a civilization where we say goodbye to these things.
What I did not know yet about hunger, but would find out over the next twenty-one years, was that brilliant theorists of economics do not find it worthwhile to spend time discussing issues of poverty and hunger. They believe that these will be resolved when general economic prosperity increases. These economists spend all their talents detailing the process of development and prosperity, but rarely reflect on the origin and development of poverty and hunger. A a result, poverty continues.
People.. were poor not because they were stupid or lazy. They worked all day long, doing complex physical tasks. They were poor because the financial institution in the country did not help them widen their economic base.
Some people think that poor people are lazy. Actually, it takes a lot of work to survive when you are dirt-poor.
Once poverty is gone, we'll need to build museums to display its horrors to future generations. They'll wonder why poverty continued so long in human society - how a few people could live in luxury while billions dwelt in misery, deprivation and despair.
By simply capitalizing on core strengths and knowledge, companies and entrepreneurs can engage in an emerging business model that will enable them to create - and demonstrate - real, sustainable social impact in society.
When you make a lot of money, it just means you made a lot of money. It doesn't make you a better person.
Growing up, I always dreamed of winning an NBA championship, never a gold. A gold was something that never crossed my mind.
I never had a plan. I have to say, I'm very shocked when people start a company and say, 'In five years I want to launch a perfume, or in 10 years I want to have this.' How can you know?
For one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members. Let this be the measure of our nation.
Business is a game, and as with all games, the team that puts the best people on the field and gets them playing together wins. It's that simple.
If you are honest with yourself and can look into a mirror and believe that you have given 100 percent, you should feel proud. If you cannot, then there is more work to be done.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.