Lights! Camera! Action!

As I stated in my previous post, 'What Michael Jackson Can Teach You About Zooming Out' (http://www.tonyzink.com/content/what-michael-jackson-can-teach-you-about-zooming-out), one technique for Zooming Out and obtaining a wider perspective on your interests, your job, your career, and the overall market is "leaving the dancefloor" and going up to the "balcony". With this wider perspective, it can be easier to analyze a situation, make decisions, and guide your career and overall livelihood. For some people, this may not come naturally and will take practice.

Another way to Zoom Out and take a look at a situation from a wider perspective: ask yourself this question...

How would this situation look if it were transferred to the 'big screen'?

A good movie director has the gift of visualizing how things will look when they are transferred to the big screen, regardless of how seemingly big or small they are. By climbing up into the director's chair and asking yourself how things look from this unique perspective, you may have an eye-opening outlook that you couldn't see before.

If someone else were to film your typical workday and show it up on the silver screen, what would people see? Would you be proud of how you spend your time?

How much of your typical workday is spent doing productive activities, and how much is wasted... either on delegated busy work or distractions of your own making? How much do you feel like you accomplish each day? Do you find yourself pursuing interests that are non-work-related?

If someone were to bring a video camera into your company for a day and take a tour, attend meetings, and interview employees, what would they see when they watched the video that evening? Would you be proud to work there?

How do bosses treat their employees at your company? Are they respected? Is there a culture of empowerment and creativity, or just the opposite? Are meetings worth while, or a waste of time? Are people excited to work there, or are they more excited to leave at the end of the day?

If you were to film a documentary on your profession -- its history, its current state, and most importantly its future -- would you choose to stay in that profession afterward?

Based on current industry, market, or popular trends, do you see your profession growing, remaining steady, or shriveling over the next few years? Is it time to expand your skills and expertise... or find a different field altogether? Is there a better field or profession to get into?

With a little practice, you can develop your own director's perspective... and what you see may make you re-think some things...