--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I naturally gravitate toward the big…" description: "\"I naturally gravitate toward the big picture which isn't necessarily advantageous when you go on to a career in research because successful researchers..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/david-katz-30306_big-picture_i-naturally-gravitate-toward-the-big-pic_2202990.jpg" --- # I naturally gravitate toward the big picture which isn't… ![“I naturally gravitate toward the big picture which isn't necessarily advantageous when you go on to a career in research because successful researchers usually choose a pretty narrow channel. So having tunnel vision actually helps you stay where you are supposed to stay. The big picture in medical…” quote by David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/david-katz-30306_big-picture_i-naturally-gravitate-toward-the-big-pic_2202990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/david-katz-30306_big-picture_i-naturally-gravitate-toward-the-big-pic_2202990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/david-katz-30306_big-picture_i-naturally-gravitate-toward-the-big-pic_2202990.jpg) > “I naturally gravitate toward the big picture which isn't necessarily advantageous when you go on to a career in research because successful researchers usually choose a pretty narrow channel. So having tunnel vision actually helps you stay where you are supposed to stay. The big picture in medical care was looking at the underlying causes of all of this pathology. I really wanted to do something about that and play a meaningful role in changing the trajectory of people's lives and their health and by changing their health, changing the quality of their lives.” [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Broad vision can be a hindrance in research; focusing narrowly allows deeper expertise and progress in a specific field. **In simple terms:** Big picture thinking may hinder research; narrow focus helps. Key Takeaway Choose a focused niche for impact. Themes research career focus narrowing impact Mood analytical motivational Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - academic labs - clinical trials - policy development - health innovation Key Concepts specialization strategic planning medical science Questions to Reflect On - What niche aligns with your strengths? - How can you integrate broader context without losing focus? A Different Perspective Over‑specialization may limit interdisciplinary insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big picture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-picture/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Medical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical/) [Medical care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical-care/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Tunnel vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tunnel-vision/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [In 1980, a woman promised her dying sister to change how Americans thought about breast cancer. Thirty years later, the result - the Susan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/in-1980-a-woman-promised-her-dying-sister-to-change-how-americans/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [ \[My vision of America is\] a good vision. Actually the best is on TV. I wanted to shoot all the pictures off the TV.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/my-vision-of-america-is-a-good-vision-actually-the-best-is-on-tv-i/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Learn to see the big picture. Often times we get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture and what we're really trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/learn-to-see-the-big-picture-often-times-we-get-tunnel-vision-and/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [I was single-minded and I had tunnel vision. Now it's time for a change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-ashford/i-was-single-minded-and-i-had-tunnel-vision-now-it-s-time-for-a-change/) [Evelyn Ashford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-ashford/) > [When I was 20 years old, I got cast in 'Spring Awakening' and got swept up in this experience where it was kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-groff/when-i-was-20-years-old-i-got-cast-in-spring-awakening-and-got-swept/) [Jonathan Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-groff/) > [When you're a manager you always have tunnel vision at certain times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-lambert/when-you-re-a-manager-you-always-have-tunnel-vision-at-certain-times/) [Paul Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-lambert/) > [On a job, there's so much commitment you have to give, in regards to time, research... I like the tunnel vision of it that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-cunningham/on-a-job-there-s-so-much-commitment-you-have-to-give-in-regards-to/) [Liam Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-cunningham/) > [When I put my nose in a glass, it's like tunnel vision. I move into another world, where everything around me is just gone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-parker-jr/when-i-put-my-nose-in-a-glass-it-s-like-tunnel-vision-i-move-into/) [Robert M. Parker, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-parker-jr/) > [Maintaining concentration depends on what I call tunnel vision; nothing else in the world exists but the catcher's target, the hitter and my perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-ryan/maintaining-concentration-depends-on-what-i-call-tunnel-vision/) [Nolan Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-ryan/) > [“In life, it’s so easy to get tunnel vision, to imagine this world is a movie set and your story—­what you see through your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cora-carmack/in-life-it-s-so-easy-to-get-tunnel-vision-to-imagine-this-world-is-a/) [Cora Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cora-carmack/) > [When you have your passion, you never even think about other things. It's tunnel vision. You go until you get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-peltz/when-you-have-your-passion-you-never-even-think-about-other-things-it/) [Nicola Peltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-peltz/) > [“I dream in tunnel vision, I think. I remember in tunnel vision, I think. The question remains, when my tunnel vision goes, as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-knighton/i-dream-in-tunnel-vision-i-think-i-remember-in-tunnel-vision-i-think/) [Ryan Knighton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-knighton/) > [“Tunnel vision is caused by an optic fungus that multiplies when the brain is less energetic than the ego.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/tunnel-vision-is-caused-by-an-optic-fungus-that-multiplies-when-the/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [She often had to remind herself that she couldn't do everything alone. She wasn't always the best person for the job. Sometimes she got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/she-often-had-to-remind-herself-that-she-couldn-t-do-everything-alone/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Whenever you do any one thing intensely over a period of time you have to give up other lives you could be living. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/whenever-you-do-any-one-thing-intensely-over-a-period-of-time-you/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) ## More by David Katz > [My view of chronic disease prevention of fighting epidemic obesity and diabetes, of turning the tide, is that it is the job of professionals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/my-view-of-chronic-disease-prevention-of-fighting-epidemic-obesity/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We have literature indicating that overwhelmingly, health is influenced by a very short list of modifiable behaviors topped by three: tobacco use, physical activity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-have-literature-indicating-that-overwhelmingly-health-is/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [There is one thing that very reliably try to trumps the food supply and that is food demand. At the end of the day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/there-is-one-thing-that-very-reliably-try-to-trumps-the-food-supply/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We are facing a flood tide of factors into our daily lives and the lives of our children that conspire against weight control, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-are-facing-a-flood-tide-of-factors-into-our-daily-lives-and-the/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We are creatures. We have a link with a native habitat just like every other species. Throughout most of human history, physical activity was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-are-creatures-we-have-a-link-with-a-native-habitat-just-like-every/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We have a society that monumentally conspires against the pursuit of health. We have wave after wave of labor-saving technology that says don't ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-have-a-society-that-monumentally-conspires-against-the-pursuit-of/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [When I went to medical school, I was taught about two basic kinds of diabetes: juvenile onset and adult onset. From the time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/when-i-went-to-medical-school-i-was-taught-about-two-basic-kinds-of/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [The metaphor I routinely use is polar bears in the Sahara desert. You take creatures adapted to the cold and put them in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/the-metaphor-i-routinely-use-is-polar-bears-in-the-sahara-desert-you/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [There's an awful lot about our society that is at odds with the basic message of "don't smoke, be active, eat a healthy diet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/there-s-an-awful-lot-about-our-society-that-is-at-odds-with-the-basic/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [I think basic disease care access and basic access to health care is a human right. If we need a constitutional amendment to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/i-think-basic-disease-care-access-and-basic-access-to-health-care-is/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We don't control everything. There are genetic influences. There are environmental exposures we don't control. I cannot guarantee anyone I counsel that by following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-don-t-control-everything-there-are-genetic-influences-there-are/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [Epidemic obesity is an enormous problem. It's a pendulum that's swung too far. We have to swing it back. So it should come as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/epidemic-obesity-is-an-enormous-problem-it-s-a-pendulum-that-s-swung/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [What we need to do now is recognize that it is the sum total of human ingenuity that is responsible for the epidemics of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/what-we-need-to-do-now-is-recognize-that-it-is-the-sum-total-of-human/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [Balanced, sensible nutrition: eat food, not too much, mostly plants, a healthy diet ala Michael Pollan, modern physical activity on a daily basis, modest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/balanced-sensible-nutrition-eat-food-not-too-much-mostly-plants-a/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [Color, rather than shape, is more closely related to emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/color-rather-than-shape-is-more-closely-related-to-emotion/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) [Explore all 17 David Katz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) ## More Big picture quotes > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Learn to see the big picture. Often times we get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture and what we're really trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/learn-to-see-the-big-picture-often-times-we-get-tunnel-vision-and/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [“Everything's a painting, anyway," Fawn said. "That's what I think. We live inside a giant painting, only we can't see who's holding the paintbrush.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-christo/everything-s-a-painting-anyway-fawn-said-that-s-what-i-think-we-live/) [Rose Christo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-christo/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [My mom taught me the power of love. I learned to focus on the long-term big picture from my father. His sense of humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/my-mom-taught-me-the-power-of-love-i-learned-to-focus-on-the-long/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) > [Sometimes we find ourselves stumbling over obstacles we face today but always see the big picture and keep moving forward. Have faith - someday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-krause/sometimes-we-find-ourselves-stumbling-over-obstacles-we-face-today/) [Tom Krause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-krause/) > [I think that the fact of the matter is that metal isn't really part of the big picture of the gay, lesbian, transgender music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/i-think-that-the-fact-of-the-matter-is-that-metal-isn-t-really-part/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [I am a bigger-picture manager because I've lived through something that's a big picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/i-am-a-bigger-picture-manager-because-i-ve-lived-through-something/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [“I suppose that was an example of close attention to detail that is common to writers and artists. It is imperative, whether consciously or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-winder/i-suppose-that-was-an-example-of-close-attention-to-detail-that-is/) [Elizabeth Winder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-winder/) > [“When she made her way to the big picture window that framed the dining room table she froze. She stopped breathing. The anger was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-brashares/when-she-made-her-way-to-the-big-picture-window-that-framed-the/) [Ann Brashares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-brashares/) > [Everyone is against micro managing but macro managing means you're working at the big picture but don't know the details.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mintzberg/everyone-is-against-micro-managing-but-macro-managing-means-you-re/) [Henry Mintzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mintzberg/) > [To be a good citizen, it's important to be able to put yourself in other people's shoes and see the big picture. If everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-pariser/to-be-a-good-citizen-it-s-important-to-be-able-to-put-yourself-in/) [Eli Pariser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-pariser/) > [It is important to ask yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and what purpose it serves in the big picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/it-is-important-to-ask-yourself-why-you-re-doing-what-you-re-doing/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It's not about winning and losing; it's about every day hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-sanders/to-be-a-champion-i-think-you-have-to-see-the-big-picture-it-s-not/) [Summer Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-sanders/) > [“I would love to tell you that being a content manager is easy. Straightforward. That you will be able to focus on what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-busche/i-would-love-to-tell-you-that-being-a-content-manager-is-easy/) [Laura Busche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-busche/) [Browse all 423 Big picture quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-picture/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I naturally gravitate toward the big picture which isn't necessarily advantageous when you go on to a career in research because successful researchers usually choose a pretty narrow channel. So having tunnel vision actually helps you stay where you are supposed to stay. The big picture in medical care was looking at the underlying causes of all of this pathology. 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