Tunnel Vision - An unpopular opinion on getting granular with big ideas.

Big think and little follow through. 

Before university, I was beyond frustrated in high school. I had big, unconventional ideas, and often spent time chasing them instead of doing the rote work assigned to me. The envisioning piece turned me on, the granular work or the little details were cogs in my wheel. I was struggling to follow through on tasks. 

My 18-year-old, undisciplined self was honestly ready to quit high school and forfeit a post secondary opportunity when my guidance counsellor pulled me into the office and changed my life. “Kyla, there is so much more on the other side of high school. Don’t lose sight of all the things you want to do, but for now, focus on one thing that is in front of you. Put some blinders on and just do the work.” 

Why is this relevant? 

Well, some lessons keep showing up. I became aware of the same kind of situations in my career. I was part of leading a new sales strategy and change management with a couple of financial institutions that were breaking business unit silos in favour of collaboration and bigger picture service delivery. This was a good move for customer service – it created a more client-centric culture and enabled institutions to drive their sales processes. Internally, however, it blurred the lines in accountability, and ultimately created a challenge with customer experience Index (CEI). While new collaboration and referral systems made passing the work along a lot easier, there often was no follow up on execution, or sustained ownership of the client file. Once people were able to delegate in such a competitive sales culture, they were eager to charge forward on winning new business…often resulting in unfinished business. 

Entrepreneurship has the same struggles.  

Big thinking and grand visions dominate the entrepreneurial mindset, pushing us to explore limitless possibilities. Entrepreneurs get the 20,000 feet up picture. Isn't the view amazing from this vantage point? There is a real high (pun intended) to seeing the big picture. From 20,000 feet up, it’s easier to see EVERYTHING - all the possibilities, all the angles, multiple outcomes and that’s why it can be so hard to hit the ground running.  Especially if you are leading alone, or do not have a well appointed team to help land the plane. (often multiple planes) 

Sometimes you need tunnel vision. 

The concept of tunnel vision might be considered counterintuitive, especially as we dive into an era of inclusivity, collaboration, and boundless opportunities. Tunnel vision, in its traditional sense, has been perceived as a negative trait, implying a narrow focus and an inability to see the bigger picture. But let’s flip it upside down here and explore how tunnel vision, as it relates to landing one plane at a time, can actually be beneficial, especially in the entrepreneurial context.

Focus on Execution

Tunnel vision allows entrepreneurs to silence the distractions of new ideas and concentrate on the goal at hand. I call this staying the course.

Avoiding the Big Think, Little Follow Through Dilemma

Many leaders face the challenge of having grand visions but struggle with consistent follow-through. Embracing tunnel vision helps break this cycle. By narrowing focus and dedicating themselves to one project or goal at a time, entrepreneurs can build the discipline needed for consistent progress and ultimately increase the likelihood of success.

Enhanced Problem-Solving

At the 20,000-feet vantage point, entrepreneurs can see the vast landscape of possibilities, but this can also lead to analysis paralysis or so many outcomes’ syndrome. Tunnel vision enables them to zoom in on specific challenges, dissecting problems and identifying practical solutions. This focused approach enhances problem-solving capabilities and ensures that each hurdle is tackled efficiently, one step at a time.

Efficient Resource Allocation

For startups and entrepreneurial ventures, resources are often limited and must be utilized wisely. Tunnel vision allows entrepreneurs to allocate their time, energy, and finances efficiently, making the most of available resources for the project at hand. As they achieve success in one endeavour, they can then pivot their focus to the next opportunity, gradually expanding their portfolio.

Sustained Motivation

When faced with a multitude of goals, it's easy to become overwhelmed and lose motivation. Tunnel vision, on the other hand, provides a clear sense of direction, offering entrepreneurs a steady stream of motivation as they accomplish each step towards their ultimate vision.

Final thoughts

While big thinking and broad perspectives have their undeniable merits, tunnel vision can be a powerful tool in an entrepreneur's arsenal. By embracing focused vision, entrepreneurs can transform their visionary aspirations into reality through increased focus on execution, improved problem-solving abilities, and efficient resource allocation. Tunnel vision should not be dismissed; instead, it should be celebrated as a valuable approach in the pursuit of entrepreneurial success.