I’ve just come back from Scotland, and I’ve been thinking about something that happened while I was there. Something about mountains and snowdrops, and what it means to really see things. And how that ability… to notice both the enormous and the tiny, is one of the most extraordinary skills we have as creatives. Today’s episode is a bit different. It’s quieter, more reflective. A celebration of what you already are.
Mountains and Snowdrops
I’ve just returned from Scotland. We spent time in Glencoe and the surrounding areas, climbing hills and mountains, walking through valleys of just enormous scale.
It’s quite overwhelming when you’re there. These massive mountains rising up around you. The sense of scale is extraordinary. You feel very small. And there’s something about working so hard for so long, and then suddenly being in an environment like that, where you just walk and absorb it all and really appreciate the magnitude and the absolute beauty.
But then a few days later, we travelled from the west coast over to the east coast and visited gardens I hadn’t been to for so many years, called Cambo. And right now, they have the most amazing drifts of snowdrops.
At first glance, snowdrops all look the same… beautiful, tiny white flowers on the most elegant stems. But when you really look, like really look, when you take the time to notice… there are many different varieties. Some have slightly larger petals. Different shades of green and white. Little dots of green in different places. Some have slightly frilly edges. Some are a bit taller than others.
And that amazing, direct contrast. The intricate beauty of a tiny snowdrop across different varieties, through to the overwhelming scale of the mountains in Glencoe.
What We Do as Creatives
And I’ve been thinking about this. Because this is what we do as creatives.
We have this extraordinary ability to see both. To really take in enormous scale. To stand in front of something overwhelming and not just look at it, but feel it. To let it affect you.
And then to notice the tiniest details. The subtle differences. The intricate beauty that most people walk past without seeing.
Both of these things. At the same time. This capacity to zoom out to the bigger picture and zoom in to the smallest detail.
I think sometimes we don’t realise how unusual this is. How valuable it is, and what an absolute joy it is to be able to do both.
The Bigger Picture
Because when you’re in Glencoe, surrounded by those mountains, you can see the whole landscape. How it all fits together. The patterns. The way the light changes everything. The sense of where you are in relation to everything else.
You’re not just seeing what’s directly in front of you. You’re taking in the entirety of it. The context. The magnitude.
And you feel something. You’re moved by it. It’s not just intellectual appreciation. It’s visceral.
This is what we do in our businesses too, when we let ourselves.
We can see the bigger picture. Where we want to be. Where we’re heading. What our goals are. What would create something genuinely meaningful and impactful.
We can envision the entirety of what we’re building. Not just the next step, but the whole landscape of possibility.
When we allow ourselves to think big, which connects beautifully back to last week’s episode about why playing small is often the very worst decision you can make in business.
We’re not just setting arbitrary goals. We’re seeing something. A vision of what could exist. What would be extraordinary.
And we feel it. That excitement in your stomach. That sense of “yes, that’s what I want to create.”
The Tiny Details
But then we can also do the absolute opposite. We can notice the smallest things.
Those snowdrops at Cambo. Most people would walk through and see “snowdrops.” A mass of delicate white flowers.
But when you really look. When you give it time and attention. You start to see all the differences. The subtle variations that make each one unique. The intricate detail that’s always been there, just waiting to be noticed.
This is what we do in our work. We see what makes a difference. The details that transform something from good to exceptional.
You understand where that extra care matters. Where adding that particular element will create something your client didn’t even know they wanted but will absolutely love.
You notice what’s slightly off. What needs adjusting. What would make it perfect.
This isn’t just attention to detail in a perfectionist way. It’s the ability to really see. To understand what makes something beautiful or meaningful or exactly right.
Both at Once
And this is exactly what’s so important here. We can do both of these things.
We can stand in front of an enormous mountain and take in the whole landscape. And we can crouch down and study the intricate details of a tiny flower.
We can envision the bigger picture of where our business could go. And we can notice the small details that will make the difference between good work and extraordinary work.
We can think strategically about the whole direction. And we can care deeply about getting every element exactly right for our clients.
This is such an unusual combination of abilities. And it’s so valuable.
What This Means for Business
Because so often in business, we’re told to be one thing or the other.
Either you’re the big picture visionary who thinks strategically. Or you’re the detail-oriented person who executes beautifully.
But as creatives, we’re both. We need to be both. And we are both.
When you’re working with a client, you understand what they’re really trying to achieve. The bigger vision. What would transform their experience or their space or their brand. You see the whole picture of what’s possible.
And at the same time, you know exactly which details matter. What will make them feel cared for. Where that extra thought creates something genuinely special.
When you’re building your business, you can envision where you want it to go. The impact you want to create. The kind of work that would genuinely fulfil you.
And you can also see what needs to happen next. What details need attention. Where things need refining. What would make the difference.
The Enjoyment of It
And there’s something else I’ve been thinking about from Scotland.
You don’t need very much to experience this. To really see and appreciate both the enormous and the tiny.
We walked through landscapes. We looked at flowers. We took time to notice. To really take it in.
There’s a simplicity to it. And a generosity. This ability to be moved by beauty, by scale, by intricate detail. To let yourself feel overwhelmed by a mountain. To be genuinely delighted by the subtle differences in snowdrops.
I think we bring this to everything. To life, yes. But also to our work. To our businesses.
We find joy in the bigger vision and in the smallest details. We’re energised by thinking about where we’re going and by caring about getting things exactly right.
This is such a gift.
Why This Matters
I know that mindset and confidence is the largest factor in whether a business is going to be successful or not.
And I think sometimes, as creatives, we don’t fully embrace these incredible skills we have. We don’t realise how directly they relate to building something viable and meaningful.
We might think the business skills are something separate. Something we need to learn. A different way of thinking.
But actually, the ability to see both the bigger picture and the intricate details? That’s exactly what makes businesses work.
Strategic thinking and careful execution. Vision and precision. The dream and the details.
You already have this. You use it every day in your creative work. And it translates directly into building something extraordinary.
A Celebration
You have this extraordinary ability to see what others miss. To take in enormous scale and feel it. To notice tiny details and appreciate them.
To envision something meaningful and understand exactly what would make it work.
This isn’t something you need to develop. It’s something you need to recognise and trust.
The mountain and the snowdrop. The vision and the details. The bigger picture and the careful execution.
You see it all. You feel it all. And that’s exactly what makes you brilliant at what you do.
So maybe this week, take some time to notice. To really see. Not because you need to improve anything or fix anything or learn anything.
Just because you can. Because you have this extraordinary capacity to appreciate both the enormous and the tiny. To be moved by the bigger picture and delighted by the smallest details.
And to recognise that this ability (this way of seeing, of feeling, of appreciating and deeply understanding) is exactly what makes creative businesses work.
You never need to become someone different to truly thrive in your business. You just need to fully embrace what you already are.
Until next time, with huge love.
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