Do you remember connecting the dots on a piece of paper as a child? I do. Connecting the dots is a puzzle containing a sequence of numbered dots. You start at dot number one and draw a line to dot number two, and so on. When lines are drawn connecting all of the dots, the outline of an animal or object is revealed.
“Connecting the dots” is also a phrase used to describe the mental process of piecing together bits of what appear to be unrelated information to form a complete picture and/or to understand a situation more clearly. Although I have periodically used this phrase in my writing and talking, I had never really thought much about it until I came across the Steve Jobs’ quote above. I have been enlightened!
The only way to correctly connect the dots in any situation is to look backwards. You must be able to remember how things used to be and how things have changed over time. One year ago, for example, I wrote a PCC Update article entitled The Tenderness Problem in which I theorized why a high percentage of PCC® cattle test positive for Tenet® (superior beef tenderness) while very few status quo cattle test positive for Tenet®.
I went back 50 years to begin connecting the dots in this situation. I had to think back and recall the changes that had taken place within the beef industry during those 50 years. That’s not as easy as it sounds. Since most changes take place gradually over many years, they often go undetected. Although it took some time, once I was able to connect the dots in this situation, everything made perfect sense. That’s a great feeling!
From simple observation, I’ve concluded that some people are much better at connecting the dots than others. They seem to “wonder why” more than others. They like to analyze situations and solve problems. I believe those who are good at connecting the dots are more often than not well rewarded in the future. They are able to learn from the past and apply what they have learned to the future.
How can we improve our ability to connect the dots? To start with, we need to look up from our daily grind every now and then – and we need to be more observant and curious. We need to look at situations around us and “wonder why” they are the way they are. The answers we are looking for will always be in the past. In short, we need to be among the few who are able to learn from history.
Quote Worth Re-Quoting
“What we learn from history is that most people don’t learn from history.” ~ Warren Buffett