Ever feel like you're juggling between big-picture dreams and small-scale execution? That’s because, whether we realize it or not, we’re constantly using two powerful problem-solving strategies: The Top-Down and The Bottom-Up Approach.
The Top-Down Approach: Vision First, Strategy Second
Think of this as starting with the destination in mind: "What’s the ultimate goal? What’s the long-term vision? How do you want to be perceived?"
Once you have that North Star, you can map out how to get there.
For example, imagine you set an ambitious sales goal for the quarter. You probably asked yourself:
"What needs to change in my approach to hit that target?"
From there, you work backward, adjusting your strategy, refining your messaging, and optimizing your efforts to align with that end goal.
The Bottom-Up Approach: Start with What You Have & Build Up
This method is all about assessing the tools, resources, and insights at your disposal and figuring out how to leverage them to create impact.
Maybe you discovered a powerful new feature in an editing tool. Instead of planning a massive campaign first, you think:
"What kind of cool marketing content can I create now that I have this new capability?"
By experimenting and iterating, small wins compound into larger success.
You Use These Every Day Without Even Noticing
From career decisions to everyday problem-solving, we subconsciously toggle between these two approaches. Some situations demand big-picture thinking, while others require a ground-level problem-solving mindset.