Yesterday was an interesting day, to say the least. My head was spinning...full of many different ideas, projects and thoughts. My heart was was reeling full of many different emotions, feelings and sentiments. When I awoke this morning, the above quote popped to the front of my mind. "Sometimes we need to zoom out in order to refocus." This idea of "zooming out" seemed to be intertwined with a lot of conversations I have had, yesterday in particular.
I had a fantastic conversation with one of my bosses, in which she was reflecting about our past few years in our district. She said "I never realized, until today, how much we have accomplished. When we are in the middle of it, we are constantly second guessing, wondering if our decisions or actions have really had the impact that we had hoped for." My response was "It is really hard to see clearly, when we are in the middle of the trees, but if we just zoom out, and look at the whole forest...one might be awed at what we see." (Well, I didn't say it quite as poetic...but you get the picture :). Interestingly enough, at the same time...I was really struggling myself. I didn't even realize until now, that it was pretty much the same struggle. I was wrestling with the fact that I really want to affect change, I want to create impact. I beat myself up, often, because I feel like I am failing. I feel like I am too small for such a feat. I often feel like I am running on a hamster wheel, going...going...going, but really going nowhere. This is about the time, when one of my good friends usually steps in! Always at the right time, always with the right words. He is always reminding me to think more "big picture", in an essence...to zoom out. As he witnesses things from the outside, he sees things differently than I do. I tend to zoom in...way in. I get tripped up by the little things, that seem so big at the time. But it's when I zoom out, look at things as a whole...the picture becomes much more clear. When I do this "zooming out", it causes me to check myself...check my perspective. I always thank him for these reminders, because I need them to refocus. I need to be reminded to think beyond myself...not much I do is about me (or at least that is my intent). When I remember that, I can re-frame. I can then use that wide frame to regain my focus. If my goal is for the greater good, then I need to put my own ego and my own knee jerk emotions aside. I need to realize that it IS the small things that create big change. I say it often enough...I guess I just don't listen. If we CAN connect the dots of those small things, maybe they actually do line up to help create a wave of change. There have been a few times recently when I have reflected on the amazing impact some of my people have on the greater good. I don't think THEY see their magnitude. This is what I say to them "You need to step back...really step back and look at your reach, look at your impact."...and then I proceed to explain the view from where I sit. I know, for a fact, that I have said it at least three times to three different people in the last week. But why can I not say it to myself? We all have incredible things to offer, but many times we don't even realize our effect. Often times, we are so hyper focused on the here and now. It is important to be in the moment, but it is also so imperative to reflect, and pan out. Zoom out. I know when I do, it is always a huge wake up call that forces me to refocus. So...keep things in perspective...zoom out every once in awhile and adjust focus as needed, so you can view YOUR impact clearly.
1 Comment
Dianne Csoto
5/28/2017 09:19:55 am
Toally agree. You often give me perspective that I can't see myself and am grateful for it. You really are making a bigger impact than you realize. Glad to call you my friend.
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