Do you find you always get caught up in the smallest of problems?
Focusing on the minutiae before truly grasping the extent of the problem you’re facing?
If you don’t deliberately make the effort to zoom out, every so often, then this is where you’ll often get stuck without a solution.
I love the saying ‘we walk among the trees when we should really be looking at the entire forest’.
Doing so, helps us get a better sense of the problem itself, but also gives you a deeper understanding of how to approach finding a solution.
It can help you discover patterns, find principles, and map the entire territory of the problem before you take action.
We are always so focused on what’s happening 5cm in front of us, so every once in a while – zoom out.
When we ‘zoom in’ all the time it’s usually characterized by all the nitty-gritty stuff in life and all the the detail, 5cms in front of us.
But when we zoom out, which is often characterized with contemplative thinking, big picture thoughts and stillness… we see the whole picture!
This doesn’t mean we should stop zooming in though.
We just need to zoom out a lot more in order to successfully zoom in and it be beneficial to solve problems and move forward.
Zooming out can be done in many ways
Here are three ways I like to ‘zoom out’:
1. Being still.
Take more breaks.
Psychological studies show we can only really concentrate for 3–4 hours, so realise your limitations.
Don’t work flat out for 12 hours.
Work in shorter blocks.
Go for a walk.
Go to the gym in the afternoon.
Listen to a podcast.
Disconnect.
2. Mindful mediation
If you find yourself over-working, too busy &/or making poor decisions practice some mindful mediation.
After a while you’ll catch yourself throughout the day, asking yourself probing questions, whilst also enjoying the day more and being more present. All because of meditation.
3. Daily Reflection & Journaling.
Just by getting your worries down on paper, you’ll free up your brain.
If you are a terrible sleeper due to a head full of worry, this should be compulsory for you!
Sometime this weekend, take some time to yourself, practice some ‘zooming out’ to enhance your quality of life.