Do you remember the OJ Simpson Bronco Chase? On June 17, 1994, most of America got to see a low-speed chase from a helicopter view. OJ Simpson, driven by his friend Al Cowlings in a white Bronco, led police, lights and sirens blazing, down the highway. Detective Tom Lange was able to contact Simpson on his cell phone to try to reason with him. Simpson had a gun and was refusing to toss the gun out the Bronco. He was obviously under distress because he knew he was about to be arrested. He was going to lose it all and implied that he was suicidal.
Imagine what it was like in the cab of the Bronco, the stress and anxiety. It must have felt like the world was closing in on him. I feel absolutely no pity for Simpson, but this is a perfect example of the benefit of a helicopter view. From the helicopter, this event looked more like an escort rather than a chase. If you turn the sound off on your computer, it almost looks like a relaxing drive. How different things appear from a helicopter view.
What about “your life, your career, or your company?”
By having a helicopter view, you can put things in perspective and make more rational decisions that are in line with your values. By asking questions that draw out the big picture, we can stay, or get back on, track.
In my writing, I have so many things that I want to do. Sometimes I get a bit scattered, not putting my efforts where they ought to be to be in line with my priorities. Today I will answer a few questions to give me that helicopter view.
- What is most important? Right now, the most important thing in my list of writing goals is to help people who are facing the cancer of a loved one. It’s what I know best and there the biggest need is within the cancer community.
- What are the top priorities? I need to direct more of my blog post at Facing Cancer with Grace toward caregivers. I also need to get my book for caregivers written.
- How does this perspective change your view of a current challenge? I haven’t been working on my books lately. It’s time to schedule that much-needed writing time and make it job #1.
The A to Z Blogging Challenge
I’m doing double duty this month during the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Here at Heather Erickson Author/Writer/Speaker, I will share ideas for “Thinking Creatively.” I’ll also be doing the challenge at Facing Cancer with Grace, where I will focus on “Avoiding Burnout.” I hope you’ll visit me at both sites. While you’re here, sign up for my email list. Today’s post is H is for: Helicopter View.
Taking a helicopter view is another way of saying “look at the big picture.”
Sometimes we get so focused on the trees, that we can’t see the forest. When you can rise above a problem or challenging situation, you’re able to view it in the context of the bigger picture. So think about the wider scale of your life, your career or your company.
How could it help you to take a helicopter view? What do you need to look at, from that eye in the sky?
What Are YOUR Thoughts?
I’d love to hear in the comment section, below. I appreciate my readers as well as the writing community. To show that appreciation, I use Comment Luv. Just leave a comment below and your latest post will get a link next to it. Thank you!
About Heather Erickson
I am an author, writer, and speaker and homeschooling mom of 3. Since doctors diagnosed my husband, Dan with stage IV lung cancer in 2012, I’ve focused my writing and speaking on helping cancer patients and their families advocate for themselves and live life to the fullest, in spite of their illness. My goal is to help people face cancer with grace. My books are available at Amazon.com:
Facing Cancer as a Friend: How to Support Someone Who Has Cancer
Facing Cancer as a Parent: Helping Your Children Cope with Your Cancer
I also blog about living with cancer at Facing Cancer with Grace.
6 comments on “H is for: Helicopter View”
Liz A.
April 9, 2019 at 11:46 amWhen I saw “helicopter”, I thought of hovering parenting. I didn’t think of it as a way to take a step back. Interesting.
heatherericksonauthor
April 17, 2019 at 12:45 amHi Liz. My first encounter with a helicopter parent was when my kids were small and I took them to the playground. I was scolded for letting my kids climb so high on the jungle gym. My kids were always risk takers, yet they were smart about things. Somehow, they never got hurt, always stayed out of trouble, and did well in school. They were never afraid to risk looking “foolish.”
John Holton
April 9, 2019 at 12:44 pmTom Lange was the guy who, during the trial, asked if he could refer to his notes to answer a question, and, when told he could, produced a 4″ binder packed to the point of breaking. It was both hilarious and at the same time pretty impressive.
There are times that a helicopter view allows you to see a “scale model” of NOW that can definitely help when making key life or career decisions. I was never especially good at being able to do that.
heatherericksonauthor
April 17, 2019 at 7:14 pmHi John. I love the way you phrased that: “A scale model of NOW.” It can be very difficult to do at the moment but is so helpful when you need to put things into perspective. I think very few of us are very good at it, but at least we can try. Have a wonderful week!
Duncan
April 9, 2019 at 9:33 pmYes the helicopter view is very valuable. It helps you to look at a situation from an ‘outside’ perspective and be more rational about it.
https://seal-of-melchizedek.blogspot.com/2019/04/indianapolis-indiana-temple.html
heatherericksonauthor
April 17, 2019 at 7:28 pmHi Duncan, Indeed. It’s so important to be able to see things from another point of view. Often it helps you make a better decision or come up with another way of approaching a problem.