Third Order Thinking

First Order Thinking: I'll take the best paying job I can find right now.

Second Order Thinking: My goal is to become a sales manager. I will seek a sales job at a growing company with a great brand and training program.

Third Order Thinking: Online retail has displaced brick and mortar, and service platforms (AirBnB, Uber) are disrupting traditional services. The future growth areas in face-to-face sales are in enterprise and government. I will seek an position at a well known government contractor.

Most people act as if they can only see one step ahead. Like a donkey trying to munch a dangling carrot, we plod on.

The key is to observe the system in which we exist. What are the major pieces? How are they moving? Where are they going next? Where do I need to be to get where I want to go?

Related: Business, Thinking.