Cultivating Perspective In A World of Distraction

Author

Charlene Li
October 07, 2024

In July, I stood on top of a mountain at dawn. 

Our group had taken a challenging, two-hour trek up Mt. Batur in Bali. Our guide had promised a route away from the tourist crowds but warned it would be challenging. 

He wasn't kidding.

As we rounded the final corner, my back to the view, I heard my friend gasp, "It's so beautiful!" Turning, I saw the sun painting the sky in brilliant colors as it peeked over the ocean. Clouds nestled below us, and the sheer beauty of it all overwhelmed me. It was pure, breathtaking wonder. 

Standing there above the clouds, I felt a sense of clarity and peace. The world's noise seemed miles away. I took a moment to snap a photo, and then I allowed myself to be fully present and still. 

A few days later, I made that photo my lock screen. Even months later, the image of that sunrise helps me to pause, to channel stillness and peace, even amidst the busyness of my everyday life. 

Lock screens are an easy way to memorialize perspective, but cultivating that perspective isn't simply about reflecting on past experiences—it's about staying grounded and focused in the current moment, especially when the world feels chaotic. This ability is crucial, especially amidst changes and organizational transformation.

For leaders navigating disruption, maintaining an inner center is essential. But no one can create that for you. 

You have to find it within yourself.

This is challenging when distractions are everywhere. Constant notifications and never-ending to-do lists make it difficult to find the focus we need to be our best selves—and in turn, to be our best leaders. It's easy to get turned upside down by the news and the endless voices vying for our attention. That's why I'm on a mission to preserve my perspective and reduce distractions in my life.

Lock screens are one of my strategies. Here are four others: 

1️⃣ Silence notifications. 

Because I decide when to engage with social media (not the other way around), I've turned off ALL my social notifications. Permanently. Just as I carefully curate my diet (plant-based proteins, minimal dairy and gluten, controlled carbs), I'm deliberate about my digital consumption. It's about using social media with intention.

2️⃣ Decluttering by 7s. 

Whenever I'm feeling unfocused, I run around my house and find 7 things to throw or give away. It can be anything: Seven things from a drawer, seven things on the counter, seven things that don't bring me joy. I put them in one of three piles: Trash, Goodwill, or give/sell. I "Marie Kondo" my life in little bits and pieces.

3️⃣ Practice reflection. 

One of the best ways to develop wisdom is through reflection. Some people pray, read scripture, or do yoga. For me, reflection is an 8-10 minute meditation each morning using my Insight Timer app. I pick a meditation, and it gives me the lift I need to start my day off right. I take micro-breaks into the day, too. Before every meeting, I take a quick pause—a deep breath, a moment to check in with myself. This tiny ritual grounds me in the present.

4️⃣ Ask if I would do this tomorrow.

The art of focus is the act of saying no. This is hard for me! I often ask myself if the thing I’m thinking of committing to doing (a podcast interview, a meeting, etc.) is something I would make room to do tomorrow. I take a moment to look at my calendar and see what I would have to move or not do in order to squeeze it in. As a result, I’m more likely to say no.

As we head fully into the fall—traditionally a time of transition and planning—I encourage you to reflect on your own practices. How do you maintain perspective? What daily habits help you stay connected to your larger purpose or vision?

These habits aren’t just productivity tricks—they create space for transformation in your leadership. After all, you can't lead others through disruption if you're not grounded yourself. By bringing focus and clarity to your day, you're better equipped to be the strong foundation your teams need you to be—and drive positive change in your organization and beyond.

Your turn: What helps you stay focused and grounded so you can lead the charge? Hit reply and let me know.

— Charlene

What I Can’t Stop Talking About: 

  • The power of fresh perspectives. Sometimes, innovation comes from viewing the familiar through a new lens. On a recent trip to Southeast Asia, I witnessed the way Singapore’s hospitals are revolutionizing patient flow, achieving 85-90% occupancy with minimal wait times. Here’s what they did.  

  • The strength in vulnerability. Showing emotion at work isn't weakness—it's the key to creating connections and safe spaces. If you're ready to transform your workplace culture, save this—and then start leading with openness. 

  • The power of hitting “publish.” Twenty years ago, I shared my first blog post with shaky hands. Today, I'm still writing, still connecting, still feeling that mix of nerves and excitement. If you're hesitating to share your ideas, read this—and then go hit your own “publish” button.

My Latest: 

  • Catch up on my webinars! You can still review the slides and recordings of my two new webinars. In “Unlocking The Power of Generative AI,” I explain how to set up a generative AI “playground,” three ways to elevate your leadership with step-by-step instructions, and the broad outlines of creating a strategy. In “Developing a Winning Generative AI Strategy for Competitive Advantage,” I walk through the steps needed to create a cohesive AI strategy. 

  • Get updates on my forthcoming book. If you’re reading this, you are the target audience for my new book, Winning with Generative AI. Sign up for updates and early access and join my exclusive LinkedIn launch community.

  • Revolutionize Your 2025 Strategy with GenAI. Strategic planning isn't just about budgets anymore. In Leading Disruption, I break down how generative AI can transform your approach to strategy. Learn the critical difference between strategy and planning, discover how to use GenAI for research and analysis, and explore the power of the "Six Quarter Walk" for adaptive execution. Find out how companies are leveraging AI to close strategic gaps and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape. 

  • Are you ready to meet my digital twin? 🤖 Join me Tuesday, October 8 at 9am PST/12pm EST for a fascinating (and potentially controversial!) livestream where I'll introduce my AI-powered avatar. We'll explore what these digital twins can do, attempt some real-time Q&A, and discuss the implications for the future. I'll also share the surprisingly mixed reactions I've gotten so far. As always, you can catch me on LinkedIn and Facebook Live.

My Upcoming Appearances:

If you want me to speak at an upcoming event or conduct a workshop with your executive team, please drop me a note at [email protected]. 

If this information was helpful, there’s plenty more!

Thank you for subscribing to The Big Gulp Newsletter, which goes out to thousands of disruptors every other week to help you on your disruption journey—plus a curated recommendation list of the things I can’t stop talking about. 

Charlene Li

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