None of us are immune to tunnel vision when we’re trying to solve a problem or capitalize on a new opportunity in our business. Ironically, the best solutions are often hidden in plain sight.
Our daughter and our two dogs reminded me of this the other day. Jayde was making lunch, and both our dogs sat fixed on her, waiting for a scrap to fall. But right behind them on the counter were two big slices of bread covered in peanut butter. They were an easy snack well within reach for Willa, our bigger dog.
But she couldn’t see them because her focus was locked on Jayde’s small apple slice.
What you may not realize is that your focus at the moment may be just like Willa’s. And the cause of your narrowed field of vision?
Stress.
Most leaders have no clue how much money, energy, and clarity they’re losing by living in a constant state of stress. We’ve normalized it and made it almost like a badge of honor.
Countless studies show that stress narrows your vision and stifles your creativity and ability to problem-solve. Stress gets you stuck in black-and-white thinking, and the nuance required to lead well dissipates.
Before long, you’re just reacting to what’s around you rather than leading with inspiration and purpose.
And here’s what makes it worse; you don’t even know you’re stressed. Because you’re a high-performer, you just power through it. You’re like a sports car with the engine brake slightly on; you’re still fast, but dragging without realizing it.
Signs You’re There:
- What once energized you now feels heavy.
- You’re physically present but mentally racing to what’s next.
- You’re always in fast-forward—even when you’re not behind.
- Small requests feel like boulders.
- You resent the people you’re here to serve.
- Minor inconveniences trigger disproportionate frustration.
- Decision fatigue is real—you can’t even pick lunch without it feeling hard.
Stress will always be part of leadership, but the real question is:
Do you notice when you’re in it and pivot?
Because a stressed-out leader is a short-sighted, reactive, and ultimately ineffective one.
So, what do you do?
The opposite of what your instincts tell you.
When pressure builds, don’t go harder. That’s like a dog sprinting on tile: lots of motion and no traction.
Instead, slow down and take a break. That might mean simply stepping outside for 15min without your phone and going for a walk or spending some time in the morning or evening journaling through your thoughts. Or it might mean taking a half day off to reset.
It sounds counterproductive when you have a million things to get done, but it works. You’ll gain more clarity, creativity, and output than you ever would have lost by stepping away.
When you’re stressed, what you need most is perspective,
and you can’t gain perspective by hustling harder.
Quit chasing the crumbs. Slow down and release that pressure valve so you can see more clearly. And I promise you, by doing so, you’ll see a big slice of peanut butter toast that’s been behind you the whole time!
