As entrepreneurs, we all have our own unique ways of approaching projects and tasks. Some of us are natural planners, while others prefer to dive right in and figure things out as we go. In this episode of Marketing Like Another, we dive into the differences between “Top Down” and “Bottom Up” thinking, and how the different approaches work when it comes to tacking your goals. (Spoiler alert: Olivia is a top-down thinker and Michelle is a bottom-up thinker 😁) Top-down thinking involves starting with a clear end goal in mind and working backward to determine the steps needed to achieve that goal. This approach is often preferred by those who are visual thinkers and like to have a clear roadmap for their projects. ​ On the other hand, bottom-up thinking involves starting with a collection of ideas and tasks and piecing them together to form a larger goal. This approach is often preferred by those who are more action-oriented and like to dive right in and start doing things. ​ Both approaches have their pros and cons, and it's important to understand which one works best for you and your business. In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons, how they can be used to achieve business and marketing goals as well as some personal anecdotes about how our thinking styles have impacted our projects and decision-making processes. Timestamps - 00:27 Olivia explains top-down thinking - 01:53 Michelle explains bottom-up thinking - 02:32 The pros and cons of each method - 05:50 Michelle and Olivia discuss how their thinking styles impact their decision-making processes - 09:00 Olivia and Michelle discuss how their thinking styles impact their personal lives - 10:00 Michelle and Olivia discuss how to balance top-down and bottom-up thinking - 11:37 Starting with the lowest resistance tasks - 13:14 Picturing the end goal and indulging in the creative side - 13:33 Breaking down the milestones and focusing on the first few tasks - 14:38 Crossing off tasks and quantifiable checks - 16:56 Losing willpower along the way - 19:14 Managing multiple projects - 21:10 The importance of understanding the end goal and how it fits into the bigger picture - 21:46 Finding someone who thinks differently but understands your thinking style to act as a system of checks and balances - 22:17 The benefits of externalizing your process and finding a community for accountability - 23:57 Finding a safe and seen community to externalize your process and spot your weaknesses - 26:20 Leaning into what comes easily to you and adjusting to that