Have you ever gotten lost in the thick of things, focusing too much on a specific problem and missing the big picture? If so, then you understand the expression, “Not being able to see the forest for the trees.” You find yourself spending virtually all your time solving problems, overly concerned with detail and unable to see the whole situation.
The problem with this kind of focus is that it leaves little time for creative thinking. Once you solve one problem, there is another one right behind it. So you get caught up in problem-solving decisions which can move you away from specific difficulties but does little to move you forward into the life you actually want to live.
Luckily, there is another way.
If you are finding yourself in a constant battle with your challenges and losing all perspective of why you wanted your goal in the first place, take a breather to regain a more balanced perspective. Step out from the tangle of trees, and broaden your viewpoint to see the entire forest. Once your overall goal is back in focus, it’s easier to connect the essence of your dreams to reality. This means remembering that the larger fundamental nature of your goal was to create a better life for yourself. How does what you are doing and how you are doing it fit into the big picture?
One key to achieving success is to keep your overall focus on the big picture and the central goals while discovering creative, confidence building ways to resolving the day-to-day issues. By remembering your big picture, you can think through the potential short-term and long-term impact of your actions. Before taking action, ask yourself if the action is kind and nurturing to yourself, while also moving you forward into your desired life.
It’s easy to keep your eye on the big picture once you know how. Here’s a list of 10 ways to keep your vision focused on what you most want:
- Construct your overall goal in a picture collage by creating a vision board.
- Make a movie in your mind of the life you want to live. See yourself living your life, enjoying your life. Play your movie over and over throughout the day.
- Spend two minutes in the morning breathing and reviewing your goal before you head out into your everyday routine.
- Every morning write down your big picture goal at the top of your to-do list.
- Make your first to-do item one specific action step related to your goal.
- Buy a digital recorder and record your goal or dream in your own voice. Listen to your goal several times each day.
- Before going to bed, meditate on your values, goals, and aspirations
- Use your imagination to “live” your dream. Close your eyes, relax, and feel yourself already breathing, feeling, and experiencing the life you want to be living.
- Carry a small token or object in your pocket that is symbolic of your dream. Whenever you lose focus or get discouraged, reach into our pocket and allow your token to inspire you once again.
- When things get stressful, take a walk. Movement can release stress, which in turn helps you get centered on what’s important.
It’s easy to get lost in the details and lose focus of the beauty of your dreams and goals. If you’re struggling with too many details, you can take steps to balance your focus. By picking one of these tips above and taking action, you can regain focus on your big picture and give your actions direction and purpose.
Author Resource: Want to learn more about how to live consciously, love deeply, and laugh often? Come along with Annette Colby and learn the secrets to creating the life you’ve always wanted to live! Subscribe to her blog Divine Self! today.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Learning to say “No” is my greatest achievement to date……without feeling guilty! I see manipulation being used daily and can spot it right away.
The ability to say no is closely linked to self-confidence and self-worth. People with low self-confidence often feel uncomfortable about upsetting others and tend to rate others’ needs more highly than their own.
Having a goal, setting ourselves and our needs as a priority, makes it easier to be clear and honest with ourselves about what is important. A goal can act as a guidepost, allowing us to be internally clear on knowing which activities and requests reduce the quality of our life, and which improve it.
Congratulations on learning how to say “no” without guilt!! You’ve traded people pleasing for learning how to master your ability to make conscious choices! Your world rocks :–)
Thank You for sharing this powerfull and inspirational knowledge. Once I get my physical and mental energy back to normal after years of struggling depression, anxiety and PTSD resulting from workplace incidents, I really believe this action plan is gonna help me re-motivate myself and once again be able to stay focussed on achieving one goal at a time. Please feel free to share other similar that could set me free from this difficult psychological state. Drug free.!.! Once again Dr. Colby, Thank You!
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your comments above! Even though you are not feeling so well lately, it was helpful that you took time to share your thoughts and energy with us. Your presence is appreciated!
Sometimes we believe that we have to have our lives “fixed” and going perfectly before we can inspire other people, but it’s just not true. One day someone will land on this blog post, ready your comments, and feel your spirit’s desire for a better life. That someone will feel less alone. They will gain an ounce of inspiration that they didn’t have before. And because of you, they will be able to make it through another day.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and presence.
With love,
Annette