Z is for Zooming in & Zooming out

In life, we’re constantly in a state of ebb and flow between the intricate details of a situation and the broadest picture context. 

Take a work project for example. At times, we need to zoom in to understand the complexities and minutiae of every situation, project planning to every single day and accounting for every single £1. But if we stay in that detail we can get stuck, caught up in a tunnel-vision that can hinder creativity. 

So, to be strategic, we zoom back out to take a look at the overall picture and remind ourselves ‘what’s the point of all this; what are we really trying to do here/ change here/ create here?’

From my experience, a dynamic state of zooming in, then back out, then back in, then back out, well frankly it’s a powerful mix and is absolutely necessary to get the best out of most situations. 

I use the technique when I’m editing other people’s work, or when I’m planning a big project of my own or even when I’m thinking about potential life changes or decisions. To be able to step back and take stock of where you are allows you to “see the wood for the trees” again and to gain a broader perspective. But if you spent all your time up in the clouds, you’d never get anything done and you’d constantly live in a world of dreams. 

This challenge has provided another core example of the ‘Zoom in, Zoom out’ technique at its best. Every day, with every blog, and every new topic to find to write about, I’ve been drilling right down into the nitty gritty details. What’s a good length? What am I trying to say here? Would that word or this word work better in this sentence? Which picture captures the essence of the point I’m making here?

And now it’s over and I’m on the final post I’m zooming right back out to wonder: what’s this challenge really been about for me? What will I do with the results? And what could I move onto next? In particular, have I learnt anything about myself, the blogging world and my writing style that will be valuable to build on?

As ever, the answer is undoubtedly yes. 

So watch this space to find out how.

Y is for YouTube: Like Marmite

Are you a lover or a hater?

Personally, YouTube creeps me out a bit. The fact that absolutely anything can be filmed, anything can be uploaded and you can find absolutely anything on there.

On the other hand, it’s pure genius for getting your brand out, for creating mass market popularity in quick timescales and even for creating ‘How to’ tutorials and music videos.

There are plenty of great things to find on there and it has to be one of the most popular website phenomena from last year. But what are the risks? Have you identified the negatives?

• Who’s protecting our children from being able to access things too mature for their years?
• Who’s judging quality of the videos to prevent absolutely anything from getting on?
• Who’s protecting the privacy of people who end up on YouTube without their own consent?

Then again, some of the clips that find their way to public stardom are complete genius. The ‘baby scared of her mom sneezing’, the ‘baby laughing’, the ‘T mobile flash mobs’ at various famous train stations are now infamous classics. And I’m sure there are plenty more that I haven’t found.

I haven’t had enough experience of YouTube yet to decide which way I stand.

So where are you on the love-hate scale?

X is for Xanadunana

11 years ago, on a holiday in Menorca with my best friend and her family, I renamed my friend Xanadunana. To this day, her number is still in my phone as ‘Xanadunana New’!

Why?

Well, who knows why actually; we must have seen it somewhere, built on it and then it stuck. But it makes me smile every time I see it and I’m so happy she’s in my life. Nicknames are a great way to bring people closer together. They seem to come out of nowhere and are suddenly the most endearing reference possible for the person close to you. Like a secret connection that only you know.

What does it mean?

The official definition of Xanadu is ‘An idyllic, beautiful place’. How fitting. 

Xanadu Island Resort

It’s named after Xanadu, the region where a “stately pleasure dome” is located in the poem “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 

Xanadu is now a well-used name; as a Broadway musical, a film, a song, an island resort and a software programme. I don’t quite know how we expanded it to Xanadunana but I like it and plan to keep it!

So why is this important?

Well, because I wanted to use this blog to reflect and be thankful for the value of great friends. Some people in your life may come and go like ships passing in the night, creating a spark for the short time they’re there; whilst others remain strong and true for years and years. The latter are the friends that you want to hold on to and that’s the type of friend that my Xanadunana is. 

Sometimes life takes over and it’s easy to lose track, stop calling or get so focused on your own life and priorities that you forget about others. But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt along the way, it’s the fact that true friends should always be your priority. There’ll be moments in life when they really need you and if you’re not looking closely enough how will you notice them in need? 

And when you need them? Well, then you’re certain to hope that they’re watching out for you too.

Tomorrow we’ll be celebrating the Royal Wedding together in style – so a big Cheers to the lovely couple and an even bigger Cheers to all the brilliant friendships out there keeping this wonderful world a happy and bubbly place. 

To Chat!