#ThinkfullyHabit: Look to the edges
In the same way that we can unexpectedly see something in the corner of our eye, a vague idea or trail of a thought can sometimes catch the edge of our attention; often fleetingly. It’s usually something outside of what we are paying attention to. Often it comes and goes with little consideration.
What if, just like our vision, it helps to pay some attention to what is in our peripheral vision as well as within our direct focus? In the human eye there are twenty times more rod cells in the periphery of the retina than there are cone cells found at the centre. These rod cells are weak at detecting shape, colour and detail; but, highly sensitive to detecting change and movement. It’s what allows us to register subtle shifts and transformations that are likely to be missed by our focal vision alone.
“The periphery is something that must be obliquely approached with stealth... Access to it can only be gained through a strategic detour in our thought processes… It can only be approached elliptically through the cultivation of a heightened sensitivity to events and activities taking place at the margins of consciousness.”
WHY?
Former CEO of Intel, Andy Grove talks about change and innovation taking place at the periphery and this being like melting snow. “When spring comes, snow melts first at the periphery, because that is where it is most exposed”. Changes, like melting snow, tend to start at the periphery and often initially go unnoticed.
It’s often helpful to take a laser-like focus, but the downside is that it narrows our attention. The more laser-like we get, the more mindful we should also be to the ideas that dance around the fringes. Being open to peripheral ideas means remaining alert to changes and transformations taking place at the edges; safeguarding us from being blinded to emerging ideas that may have important future consequences. While this can feel vague, disorderly, ambiguous and distracting, valuable insights and ideas can start at the edges.
We need to cultivate a sensitivity to these peripheral ideas. As strategy researchers Chia & Holt put it, it's about, “accepting messiness; encouraging ‘eye-wander’ and improvisation; and taking detours.”* Essentially, it means developing more tolerance of vagueness and taking more notice of peripheral ideas. So, in times of focus:
- Allow some attention to scatter a little more towards the edges.
- Ask yourself if you have any fleeting ideas popping up that aren't yet fully formed.
- Notice if an idea crosses your mind and tune into it before it vanishes into the shadows.
- Be slightly slower to dismiss ideas that aren’t 'on target'.
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