The phrase “Can’t see the forest for the trees,” or a version of it first appeared in a collection of Renaissance proverbs by John Heywood in the 1500s. It is used to describe someone who is unable to see the larger picture. They become so caught up in their own thoughts—about all the steps, their worries, uncertainties, doubts, and specifics—that they are unable to see the bigger picture and take action.
Sound familiar?
When working on a project, setting a goal, or creating an action plan, we frequently find ourselves becoming bogged down in the details. We think about all the steps, wonder “what if I fail?” and lose sight of the bigger picture. Imagine trying to walk through a forest while gazing at a single tree and trying to find your way. You can’t zoom out at that point to see the path that exists not too far from the tree.
My personal experience has taught me that we frequently need someone to assist us to awaken inner awareness so we can see things from a different perspective. That person might be a partner, a friend, a colleague, or a coach. Coaching is a partnership between a coach and a client. A coach assists a client to explore their current circumstance and their desired future. Together, they identify the resources presently available and create a plan to accomplish their goals. A coach can assist you to identify the factors that prevent you from seeing beyond that one tree and develop a strategy for doing so.
How can you see the forest for the trees? When you are feeling stuck, this approach can help you to get unstuck and move forward:
1) What is the significance?
Why is this topic, or issue, significant to you at this time? What is it about this circumstance that occupies your thoughts? To fully comprehend what values are at play, and how a situation relates to our lives, we need to emotionally engage with the topic.
2) What is my vision?
Next, ask “What would it look like if everything were going the way I want it to?” We frequently get bogged down in the minutiae because we can’t clearly see where we’re going. How will we know when we arrive if we don’t know where we are going? By imagining our destination, we may start to put the required measures into motion.
3) What is blocking me?
After imagining your future goal and destination, what is stopping you from achieving it? In his book, Atomic Habits, James Clear writes; “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” By continuing to live as we have in the past, we will not achieve our goals and bring about change in our lives. What routines and ways of life have we been leading that prevent us from realizing our ideal vision? Finding out what is preventing us from achieving our goals will assist us in achieving them.
4) What advice would I give a friend?
One of the things I ask clients in my coaching sessions when they are unsure about what to do next is, “If you were having this conversation with a friend, what would you tell them?” When a client imagines this conversation in their thoughts, there is often a pause and an “aha” moment. We frequently give friends advice that is kinder and more straightforward than we do to ourselves. Advice for a friend usually comes from a place of love, offers a fresh perspective, and is just what we might need when we’re stuck.
5) What next?
Finally, we need a plan. Where to begin? We’ve connected with feelings and thoughts about the problem, imagined the future, given ourselves guidance, and are now prepared to create our action plan. A good place to begin is with what to do first.
Being preoccupied with our way of thinking causes us to lose sight of the bigger picture. As humans, we need to connect with our emotional side in order to unblock the rational side of our brains. That is where coaching comes in. Coaches are able to hold space for you, support you to evoke awareness from within, work alongside you as you explore your situation, assist you to visualize your future, and walk with you on your journey.
Ready to move forward and see the forest? Reach out for a free, 30-minute discovery session. I am also happy to refer you to a whole network of coaches ready to help you move forward.
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