[If you’re reading this via email or RSS, you might need to click through to view the video.]
One of the things that trips a lot of folks up is shifting perspective from tasks, to projects, to objectives. All too often, we’re focusing on details when we should be focusing on the big picture, or, even worse, we’re trying to do both at the same time and getting lost in the shuffle.
This short (for me) video post talks about a few different ways to think about the levels of perspective and detail. I recorded this video a few weeks ago and sat on it. It’s very incomplete – it’s clearly one of those things I should write about, but, until then, I thought I’d share it.
You’ll also see that it’s recorded on my new camcorder. Enjoy!
Hello Charlie,
Thanks for your perspective on the long, medium and short term perspective which is required to accomplish a project or goal. It really can become burdensome when you have an intended goal in mind, yet fail to implement the plans in the way most condusive to achieve results. I know I personally stuggle with seeing the big perspective, the overall goal, and then become rather anxious about determining which actions must be taken today, or within the next coupe of weeks. Unfortunately, it has hindered my ability to take action on some of my long-term ideas, because I get flustered and discouraged by not knowing which way to go. Your driving analogy was perfect. It really provided a clear visual for me to see, and helped understand that the turn up ahead requires you to pay attention to the speed and the surrounding environment immediate to your existence, knowing that there will be other turns up ahead, but having already spread them out on your plan of action for the long term goal. You can’t see the turns 100 miles ahead, but you know you’ll hit them today or tomorrow. I hope what I’ve said makes sense, and I thank you again for sharing your productive input with the rest of us! Also, I was curious whether it is ok to post your articles on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks Charlie
I’m glad the driving analogy helped, Dan. It is really easy to get flustered in this stuff; sometimes it still catches me, too.
And please do share these posts with your friends and followers. I really appreciate it.
That’s interesting. When I write, I’m often stuck with details. And it’s hard to shift perspectives. This is a problem especially because I write for several blogs. And it’s hard to write for one, and then do a complete shift of perspective minutes after I finished writing on one of the blogs and then start writing about something completely different on the other blog.
It helps a lot to think about the big picture, and try to focus from a distance and see myself months or years from now. Where am I, where do I want to be? Doing this exercise before starting to write helps going from the details to a broader view, no matter what the topic is.
Hey Charlie,
I’m usually a leacher of your content. I have you marked up on RSS and I just check your stuff out from time to time.
Video is kinda my thing, so I thought I’d watch your video.
You almost lost me in the beginning, but as soon as you went into your analogy things got REALLY good.
I was able to draw a lot of parallels to what I do with my different spaces, and perspectives, but I won’t share those for lack of your blog imploding with boredem.
Great job!
Just wanted to know where you got some of these ideas and perspectives. I know that my ideals are drawn from experiences, books, blogs, and more.
Is there anything or anyone I should look out for along these lines?
Leeches are welcome here, too. ;p
And you’re right – the first part of the video was rough. I was fidgeting and messing around. Thanks for sticking through it.
As far as my sources go, I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any specific recommendations. This stuff comes up for me because I’m immersed in it – through reading, coaching, thinking, and boring the ever-loving-crap out of those unfortunate enough to talk to me about it. ;p
Really great thoughts, man. Ever since I saw it I’ve STILL been thinking about it. You’ve done some good, and you’ve moved up a ton on my prioritized RSS list.