Zoom-Out MINDSET

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.