Big Picture Thinking (6 ways I see the forest, not the trees)
As the expression goes, don’t lose the forest for the trees. This phrase is really hinting at the importance of big picture thinking.
While trees are important parts of the journey, they’re only a piece of the puzzle, which often don’t represent…well, the bigger picture.
So this is my guide on how I navigate my many forests in life. This is how I balance a zoomed out view on things.
Let’s do this!
Table of Contents Show
What Is Big Picture Thinking?
Big picture thinking is the ability to zoom out and view a situation, project or context from a higher level. It’s the ability to sit back and see the whole of something, not just a part of it.
It’s a mindset and perspective shift.
I use big picture thinking to reframe a lot of stuff in my life. From working on personal goals and creative visions to dealing with travel stress while I’m abroad.
The ability to zoom out and ignore the minutiae makes me happier and more chill in life.
And isn’t that the ultimate goal?
Why Big Picture Thinking Matters (the benefits)
Understand the context of situations better
Boost your self awareness
Detach easier and find better objectivity
Improve your planning and decision making
Innovate and connect the dots more easily
Become more flexible and adaptability
Recognize patterns more easily
Widen your perspectives and strengthen your mindset
Improve your patience
How to Practice Big Picture Thinking (6 moves)
Okay, on to the practical stuff.
Here are my favorite ways to practice big picture thinking.
1. Stretch Your Time Horizons
Unrealistic timelines can be one of the biggest bottlenecks to big picture thinking. It’s hard to condense the complexity of life into a shortcut.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to avoid this trap.
We live in an on-demand world with convenience, knowledge and results all at our fingertips. Videos promise three-month results and linear growth if you follow simple formulas.
But the reality of life is usually much more nuanced. So we lose sight of bigger pictures, which are usually more “boring” and take much longer to realize.
Remember, your projects, goals and life are not short-form content. It’s much more complex than that.
So one way I avoid this on-demand trap and bolster my big picture thinking is to stretch out my time horizons.
Put another way, think in years — not months or weeks.
Patience and expectations are important parts of big picture thinking.
2. Don’t Ignore the Trees (“middle picture thinking”)
Big picture thinking doesn’t mean ignoring the details altogether. Zooming in can be just as important as zooming out.
So let’s not ignore the trees. But let’s give them just a little bit of context.
This is what I like to call “middle picture thinking”.
It helps to imagine things as a hiking trail. Getting lost in the trees means you’re only looking at what’s directly in front of you. Big picture thinking is zooming out completely to see the whole hiking trail, from start to end.
Therefore, middle picture thinking is being able to look around and see a few mile markers and checkpoints in either direction. It’s looking ahead (and behind) just a little bit to see the path.
This gives you a sense of direction and progress.
And being able to see the trees, the next couple turns ahead as well as the whole freaking trail is truly what big picture thinking means.
3. Do Focused Zoom-Outs
Zooming out isn’t an all or nothing thing.
There are many layers and many levels to play with. So why zoom out on my whole life when I can choose just one aspect of it?
This feels easier.
Because every aspect of my life has different goals and nuances attached to it.
For example, my music projects have very different milestones, obstacles and goals compared to my blog goals. So it’s helpful to sometimes zoom out on things separately.
Of course, doing some “collective” zooming out (where you do look at everything altogether) is helpful too. But a little bit of focus will make big picture thinking a lot easier.
So choose one area of your life to start with. Then layer in more stuff as you get better at zooming in and out.
4. Do More Self Reflection
Self reflection requires zooming out on yourself.
So step back, explore what makes you you and appreciate your progress. It’s a solid way to practice big picture thinking (and self development, in general).
Meditation, journaling and doing something creative are a few common ways to practice self reflection. But the goal is to quiet the mind, boost your present moment awareness and view things from a higher, more detached perspective.
It’s introspection.
Big picture thinking is a form of self reflection. You’re assessing how stuff is going in the grand scheme of things and boosting your self awareness in the process.
So get to know yourself a little better. Zoom out, zoom in — have fun with it.
Recommended: How to Look Within (self awareness tips)
5. Study Astronomy or Quantum Physics (you know, for fun)
Nothing resets my mindset quite like a cosmic perspective.
So study the universe.
Intro-level astronomy or quantum physics are great ways to stretch your mind (and even melt it sometimes). This is all a form of big picture thinking.
Having a surface-level understanding of how the universe works, our role in it all and how things like quantum entanglement work opens your mind in amazing ways.
Specifically, you get better at big picture thinking.
So do some deep dives and follow what interests you most about space and physics.
Stretching perspectives on life is always a good thing.
6. Make It A Regular Thing
Big picture thinking isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing.
So let’s make it official.
Naturally zooming out and seeing the bigger picture takes some practice, patience and awareness. But if you’re committed, you can make it a habit.
It starts with catching yourself when you get lost in the details and spending time each day to do some reflection.
Over time, you strengthen this type of thinking — much like a muscle.
Eventually, thinking with the bigger picture in mind will feel like second nature.
So carve out some time in your schedule and start making the bigger picture a regular part of your routine.
Later ✌️
Big picture thinking helps me stay focused and not get lost in the details.
Life can get complex and if you’re like me, you probably have numerous passions, goals and things you need to do. So my favorite ways to think bigger are focusing on one part of my life at a time, practicing more self reflection and setting more realistic timelines for myself.
Big picture thinking is a soft skill anyone can hone.
So just stick with it and don’t feel bad if you get lost in the trees every once in a while — it happens to the best of us!
Want More? Okay. Here’s More.
