Forest or the trees? How to change your perspective.
Do you like to be a big picture thinker or do you have a keen eye for the details?
One useful metaphor describes these perspectives as the view of the eagle and the mouse. The eagle flies up high and can see the broad landscape but doesn't know fully what is happening on the ground below. The mouse in contrast understands the lay of the land close at hand with much greater precision and detail yet cannot see the vast potential ahead.
In order to steer our teams, our businesses, and our lives we must move between the perspective of the eagle and the mouse.
But this doesn't mean that switching back and forth is easy, it's often a challenge!
We typically have a preference for one view or the other. (And, ahem, find people who think differently a bit annoying...)
I've also noticed we tend to have patterns of getting stuck more often in one view or the other.
(When I get stuck for instance, I've noticed I am often in my less-preferred mode of perspective. Do you notice the same thing?
Stuck in eagle might look like: Leaving a trail of exhausted, hangry, and burnt out people in your wake. Quick to discount progress and constantly move the goal line further ahead. Have a dreamy goal that other people aren't really "getting." Have lots of big ideas for the future that never really get off the ground. You get bored and abandon projects before they are finished.
Stuck in mouse might look like: Obsessing about getting the details perfect before you start. Gathering more information (and more, and just a little bit more...). A to do list a mile long that must. get. done. Worrying about the small things, accumulating effort and task completion ... there's no time to "slow down" and consider the big picture.
You know what is common about getting stuck in either perspective?
I see it in myself and with my clients. We lose our sense of humor and our optimism dries up.
This is a sure sign that I need a change of perspective.
Do you ever need help shifting your perspective?
The next time you find yourself stuck in old patterns, losing your sense of humor or creativity, try my Power of Perspective Tool.
In this tool, I offer straightforward questions to guide you toward the shift in perspective that will open up big possibilities.
Try it and let me know how it works for you.
Yours Truly,
Marijke Ocean Joy