Visual Intelligence

the primary source, we have a duty to include all of the important details while still capturing the big picture.

To “paint a picture” of what we see, we must first realize that we are starting with a blank canvas. Only what we purposefully put on it will be “seen” by others. We must not leave it empty or incomplete; rather we must fill it with accurate, objective, descriptive facts using both broad strokes and fine details to record our observations.

The cure for tunnel vision is the same as the strategies we should employ to combat our other unintentional visual lapses: Look in a different direction, look to the edges, take a break from your current activity, and step back to make sure you’re seeing the whole picture.

Bring someone in to look with fresh eyes, preferably someone with a different perspective, background, and opinions from yours.

Since we don’t “know” what our brain is filtering, we need to remind ourselves to let go of our preconceived notions and just look.

We often miss the unexpected because we’re too focused on what we think should be there.

Seeing things anew refreshes their perspective and often leads to the break that had previously eluded them.

down anew to the work . . . It might be said that the conscious work has been more fruitful because it has been interrupted and the rest has given back to the mind its force and freshness.”

“Often when one works at a hard question, nothing good is accomplished at the first attack. Then one takes a rest, longer or shorter, and sits