It looks ominous when you zoom in. And when you are stressed and losing sleep by what's in front of you or ahead of you, there's a strong possibility that you're zooming in too much or too soon.
On a recent visit to the Artscience Museum in Singapore, I was awestruck to visit the “Insects by Levon Bliss” exhibit. There were literally hundreds of insects perfectly preserved and others magnified and captured on colourful wall prints.
Of course, after jaw dropping extreme close ups of a variety of insects, a lesson came to mind…
Problems elevate stress and worry when you zoom in. No wonder overwhelm follows.
This is a photo I took at the exhibition. You can appreciate that even a tiny praying mantis can appear a serious predator when you focus on the minutia of its defining features.
However, with any adversity, when a leader takes time to elevate their consciousness by widening their gaze with better questions or a simple walk in the park, they suddenly see more. Now they can start to experience the reality as it is without attaching their identity to it. Less resistance, more perspective.
The key is to create some psychological distance. Step back mentally or physically and detach yourself for a few minutes. Right now, ask yourself, what do I need to take a few steps away from?