This site is full of Zoom-Out tools and example applications. Ultimately, however, Zoom-Out is a mindset. It’s our ability to recognise when we are holding a narrow and unhelpful viewpoint and be able to see a broader viewpoint or alternative viewpoints.
The table below elaborates on the idea of a “Zoom-Out Mindset” as contrasted with an “Unhelpful Zoom-In Mindset”. Note that zooming-in can of course be helpful but our concern here is when it’s not.
Unhelpful Zoom-In Mindset
| Getting stuck in a close-up view |
| Getting stuck in, or fixated on, a narrow or limiting perspective |
| Going with the first or default perspective |
| Not easily able to shift perspectives |
| Reactive in adopting perspectives |
| Cannot refocus easily – remaining focused on the same thing |
| Not seeing or being aware of the bigger – only a narrow perspective |
| Not seeing beyond the immediately apparent thing, behaviour, effect or occurrence |
| Seeing the surface only |
| Lack of awareness of our internal state and context has and its effect and being only reactive to it |
| Seeing a single or limited number of factors |
| Seeing just the effects or symptoms |
| Seeing your reality as singular and fixed |
| Tending to hold a self-centered perspective |
| Closed-minded: – Unable or unwilling to consider other perspectives |
| Being narrow-minded: – Intolerant of other views that deviate from one’s own |
| Confusing perspectives with objective reality |
| Lack of awareness about what we are paying attention to |
Helpful Zoom-Out Mindset
| Stepping back from a close-up view |
| Breaking out of a narrow or limiting perspective |
| Considering other perspectives beyond the first or default one |
| Able to shift perspectives easily |
| Proactive in selecting perspectives |
| Can refocus easily – proactively choosing what is most helpful to be Zoom-In on |
| Seeing the bigger picture – a broader perspective |
| Seeing the wider context |
| Seeing inner context – below the surface |
| Awareness of the effect our internal state and context has on our mood and performance and proactively taking steps to control it |
| Seeing a multiple set of factors |
| Seeing root causes and cause and effects paths |
| Seeing your reality as plural and mutable |
| Ability to hold a self-less perspective |
| Open-minded: – Open to other perspectives |
| Being broad-minded: – Tolerant of varied views including those that clash with one’s own |
| Meta-perspectives: Ability to keep our perspectives in perspective – to see them for what they are |
| Meta-attention: Ability to pay attention to what we are paying attention to |
Zoom-Outs will relate to one or more of these aspects of a Zoom-Out mindset and with practice will help to strengthen and cultivate such a mindset.
Zoom-Out is relevant to all aspects of personal life and work.