If I could challenge this idea...I think inherent to the big changes is the understanding that there is no going back. For me, it's less of a flexibility in that sense. And more of an agility to move in lots of new directions (as opposed to feeling confined).
This hits the nail on the head for me. You can't pivot away from big changes. Their very nature makes them unchangeable, and that's part of what makes them "big". They require a big commitment, often in time, but most often money, and usually both.
Looking at things holistically, and on a grander scale (as I contradict myself here) I suppose that it is possible to pivot away from a big change, but that could necessitate another huge change, just as big (and potentially as dangerous) as the first. To me, a big change has the potential to do significant damage that may be unrecoverable from, otherwise it isn't really a big change. I'm suggesting that, for me, it is the risk involved that defines a business move as a big change or not.
If a change doesn't work out, and you can just go "Well that didn't work, let's go this way instead..." then it's not a big change.
Working remotely on our business, my experience has been that operational changes of any scale are just about impossible to make. No matter how hard I try, I can't evolve my business in the way that I want, as I'm limited in my ability to beat the people who wear the boots on the ground into becoming what I want and need them to be.
That's supposed to be a joke, but it's not funny... as it often feels like a gigantic club would be the only way to get them to change what they do. I'm the cat, and I'm away most of the time, so the mice play the entire time, doing what they want in the manner they want to do it in, and only giving me lip service when I am there. They know that all they have to do is wait me out, and I'll be gone again for another year, and they can just do what they want again in my absence.
And being remote, it's too difficult to find better people to replace the ones I have, and besides that, I know that the truth is, there aren't any better ones to find. I have the best available, but they're only the best amongst a bad bunch. So frustrating.
This being the case, big and small changes for me fall into the categories of those things I can actually do something about, which means asset changes; buy a property or not, do an addition to a property or not, renovate a property or not... all of which are big changes; and fix, repair, replace or maintain this thing or that at a property – which would be small changes.
If I'm going to allow myself to be brutally honest here, I'm reeling right now from a big change. It wasn't supposed to be a problem, but it sure turned out that way. The pressures and challenges brought about by our last 'big' change are consuming me, my life energy, and my business direction, both with our villa business in Florida, and even here at home. Everything has been affected by this.
I'm waiting out circumstances, of things beyond my control, which have the absolute power to bury me, or set me free. It is a highly stressful and frustrating place to be in. So you focus on those things you DO have control over for two reasons; 1) to keep sane, and 2) because there is always the hope or possibility that those 'other' activities may eventually rescue you from those things you can't control in the present moment.
In addition, not progressing in some way would be a waste of the opportunity of the present moment – time is valuable, so use it well no matter what's happening, good or bad. At some point in the future, now will be the past. The uncontrollable in our lives will determine its own effect upon us, so we may as well have whatever benefit we can gain from what we can control, instead of having less because we let the uncontrollable completely distract us. As humans that's admittedly tough to do. Sometimes only coping has to be labelled a success.
With the effects of COVID, and three years of not upgrading or even properly being able to maintain my properties, my resources and capabilities at this time are and have been completely overtaxed. I didn't really understand that to be the case until today, when I was reviewing a guest exit survey that made me realize that a number of things I didn't take care of recently, should have been. I let them slide, perhaps because I was distracted, but being completely honest and fair to myself (I tend to be a very hard and brutal critic when it comes to my own efforts) I was simply limited by the time, money and personal resources I have available. Nothing will change that. The only thing I can do is spend more time at my properties on those issues, and being able to do that is completely outside of my own control right now. So choices had to be made.
Another interesting thought that popped into my head as I have contemplated this, in my situation at least, is that the big changes are the single biggest controlling factor of what small changes I can make, or perhaps should make. There is no independence between the two.
For example, I purchased our third vacation rental property recently. It was actually at the end of 2021, but in the glacial time scale that is my vacation rental business, that's recent. The property was not ready for STR when we bought it, so we placed long-term renters in the property for the first year, until our own timing allowed us to spend time in Florida and 'attack' it. Getting long term tenants took about four months to setup (including my stage-4 heart trouble surgery). We then had them vacate to start renovations to turn the house into a suitable vacation rental, which took three full months, and then our first true guest arrived. Eight months of rentals over the next nine months became the shake down cruise, with everything still needing to be done becoming glaringly apparent during that time.
The list of things to do got longer, not shorter!
The other thing that became so noticeable was the effect of all of the small changes and improvements we have done over the last decade on our other two properties. Over time, our properties have evolved in a manner that matches our tastes and goals for them. The similarities between the first two under our hand, and their differences from the third, which actually was operated as a vacation rental by others for the last decade as well, became shockingly obvious.
So the big change (adding the third property) now defines what all of the upcoming small changes might be. Do we paint the pool deck, cut back the jungle that encroaches on the rear yard, install fences or hedges to increase guest privacy from a neighbour's peering eyes; or install a guest safe, an irrigation well, lifters for the hot tub cover, a concrete apron for the BBQ, security cameras, or landscaping borders? Those are some of the needed changes that I can quickly think of off the top of my head. Most of those will be small changes, but all brought about because of the big change of taking on the third property.
But as I make my choices, I absolutely have to not lose focus on the ongoing needs of the other two properties. I had little choice before, as the new property needed to be brought up to operating condition. Now I have to evaluate and make sure that the glittery new jewel doesn't keep me from polishing the others as well.
Changes never happen in isolation. Before making choices it is vital to consider what additional changes may be required downstream as a result of a change today. And to be brutally honest in making that assessment. Even if we are, we will still likely get thrown curve balls we didn't anticipate. Life is like that.
Changes, big or small, can be a huge distraction. Looking to change to rescue us or solve a problem may be a gigantic mistake, when what is really needed is to just focus in on maintenance and making sure that the ship is well rigged for smooth sailing.
The time can be right for a change... of any size. Or wrong, depending upon a myriad of factors.
For everything, there is a season.
ROster introduced his formula for continual improvement and many members have shared examples of this thinking in all aspects of the business (and life). The gist? Continual improvement always. 
Sallie's arms race to impossibly spoiled guests and wonder when continual improvement in one direction aren't serving us the way they were once intended? 
