Think like a herbivore

One of the first things I learned as an NLP practitioner was the difference between ‘foveal’ and ‘peripheral’ vision. And you’ll excuse the pun if I say it gave me a whole new outlook on my creative and working processes.

Foveal vision is ‘high focus mode’; it’s what a lion uses when stalking its prey, and it’s great for doing intricate tasks that require your full concentration. Peripheral vision, on the other hand, is more like ‘antelope eyes.’ It’s a less intense level of focus, allowing you to be aware of your surroundings but still able to gently mull over the task at hand (or, in the antelope’s case, nibble on that appetising tuft of grass whilst keeping an eye on the big cat lurking in the bushes).

Of course, in the great documentary of life, we’d all love to be that powerful lion, prowling through the Serengeti to the soundtrack of a dramatic orchestral score. (There’s a reason the movie isn’t called ‘The Antelope King.’) However, if you’re feeling stuck or frustrated with a particular task or situation, with no idea how to fix things, then you need to think more like that antelope.

Peripheral vision, you see, is where the problem-solving magic happens. It creates a more relaxed state that gives us better access to our unconscious minds, and that, dear reader, is not only the place where our creativity comes from, but also where we store all our memories.

Don’t believe me? Think of all those times you’ve had an epiphany or remembered where you left your glasses while you’ve been out on a walk or waiting for the kettle to boil. That’s because you weren’t hyper-fixating on the problem, but instead were letting your mind wander. In NLP, we’d say you were ‘in peripheral vision.’

And the good news is that you can engage ‘peripheral vision mode’ without even having to leave your chair or look around you in the exam hall. (Please don’t do that! Keep your eyes on your own paper!!) It’s simply a case of allowing yourself to become aware of what’s going on around you, noticing (but not looking at) the corners of the room or the sunlight coming in through the window. You’re still looking at that tricky email or exam question, but with a softer level of focus that encourages a more relaxed ‘flow state.’

If you have a visual impairment, or there’s something in your current visual field that’s proving far too distracting, you can achieve the same result by listening instead. Just allow yourself to become aware of the different sounds in your vicinity, without concentrating on one in particular. (If you’re having trouble with either of these options, try one of the exercises at the bottom of this post to get the hang of it.)

Incidentally, that connection to the unconscious mind goes both ways, so this is also a great technique to practise while you’re revising or learning something new. By opening up that connection to your unconscious mind, you’re making it much easier for your memory to store everything you’re learning. In fact, many NLP practitioners refer to peripheral vision as ‘the learning state.’

So there you have it: a beginner’s guide to peripheral vision. Try it out the next time you’re feeling stuck on a problem. Personally, I’ve found that nine times out of ten, the answer comes to me while I’m sitting there gazing with soft focus at my computer screen. And even if it doesn’t, I’ve still managed to edge myself out of a stressed state of hyperfocus, which is a win in and of itself.

Two exercises to practise getting into ‘peripheral vision’

Version one: changing your visual focus

Pick a point straight ahead of you, just slightly above eye level. Focus in on it, and try to map out every single detail of the little patch that you’re staring at. Now, still keeping your eyes on that spot, just soften your focus a little, allowing yourself to become aware of the area a few inches around it. Increase that circle of awareness to a foot, then slowly make it wider and wider, until you’re aware of (but not looking at) the outermost edges of your visual field. (If this is a bit tricky, try holding out your index fingers in front of you, then moving them further and further to the right/left until they disappear from your vision.)

Notice how different it feels to be more aware of what’s going on in your peripherals rather than fixating on the one spot to the exclusion of everything else. Probably a bit more relaxed and ‘zen,’ am I right?

Version two: changing your ‘audio’ focus

Pick a sound going on around you, maybe a ticking clock or the noise of traffic outside. Focus on that sound, trying to hear every single detail of it, every word or every tiny little change in pitch. Now, still keeping that sound foremost in your mind, just expand your awareness to any other sounds going on, whether inside the room or outside, quiet or loud. Still keep your ‘ear’ on that first sound, but just allow yourself to become more aware of the others too.

Notice how different it feels to be tuning in to only one sound, versus your more relaxed state as you let the other sounds wash over you too. You’re now in the audio version of ‘peripheral vision’!