Life Lessons Through the Lens of Vision

Where you look shapes how you live.

Hi friends,

In Friday’s post, we talked about vision on the bike—how to balance “Now” and “Next,” how to notice without fixating, and how to let our gaze guide us through even the most technical terrain. Vision, as we explored, isn’t just about seeing; it’s about connection. It anchors us to the present while drawing us toward what’s ahead. 

It’s an interplay of awareness, trust, and flow.

Life, like riding, asks us to balance what’s immediate with what’s ahead. If we get stuck in the “Now,” we risk being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things demanding our attention—emails, deadlines, bills, worries. But if we focus only on the “Next,” we miss the richness of the present and lose our ability to ground ourselves in what’s here.

And then there’s fear. On the bike, fear narrows our field of vision, locking us onto the very obstacles we’re trying to avoid. In life, fear can do the same—pulling us into a reactive mode, where the bigger picture feels out of reach. 

But just like on the trail, the solution lies in how we direct our focus. Here’s some further thoughts on how these concepts apply not just physically to the trail, but metaphorically to our lives. Turns out, these concepts map onto concepts that appear in research, as well. 

Without further ado…¹

What on Earth is this? For centuries, people had the damndest time determining longitude, particularly at sea, because longitude is based on time. In order to know one’s longitude, you have to know what time it is at some other longitude, what time it is where you are at, then calculate the difference. This is hard to do without precision clocks, which humanity didn’t have until the 18th century. Thus, early astronomers looked for a way to determine longitude not by time, but by the positions of the stars. For example, Galileo thought he could use the positions of Jupiters moons to determine longitude, and he created this helmet, called a “celatone,” to help sailors view Jupiter’s satellites while at sea. I know this only loosely relates to this post, but I’ve been trying to find a reason to post this image somewhere. Thanks for humoring me.

Balance presence with possibility.

Vision in life mirrors the balance we aim for on the trail—it’s about finding harmony between what’s right in front of us and what lies ahead. "Now" vision keeps us rooted in the immediate, guiding us through the rocks and roots of daily life: the deadlines, the to-do lists, the small but pressing demands that require our full attention. "Next" vision, however, lifts our gaze toward what’s coming, allowing us to anticipate future opportunities, challenges, and goals.

The late psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the father of flow theory, reminds us that achieving this balance is key to experiencing that state of energized focus and ease. Too much focus on the "Now," and we risk being overwhelmed by the noise of the moment, constantly reacting without direction. Conversely, fixating on the "Next" can pull us out of the present entirely, leading to anxiety about what’s ahead and detachment from what’s here. True flow depends on our ability to shift fluidly between these two perspectives, staying present while keeping an eye on what’s possible.

This idea also resonates with time perspective research by Philip Zimbardo, which shows that a balanced view of the present and future leads to better decision-making and well-being. When we train ourselves to alternate between “Now” and “Next,” we become more adaptable, more intentional, and better able to move through life’s terrain with clarity and ease.

Fear narrows our field of vision.

On the trail, fear often locks our gaze onto the very obstacles we wish to avoid—a phenomenon known as object fixation. This involuntary focus can lead us directly into the hazards we're trying to steer clear of. In life, fear operates similarly, narrowing our attention to immediate threats and obscuring the broader picture.

Research out of Harvard University underscores how fear influences our risk assessment and decision-making processes. In the study titled "Overreaction to Fearsome Risks," these scholars found that individuals tend to overestimate the likelihood of dramatic, fear-inducing events, leading to disproportionate responses. This skewed perception can result in reactive decisions that may not align with actual risks.

Further, the "risk as feelings" hypothesis highlights the role of immediate emotions in decision-making, suggesting that our affective responses (responses based on feelings) can overshadow cognitive evaluations of risk. This means that when fear dominates, it can impair our ability to consider creative solutions or broader perspectives, limiting our capacity for thoughtful, proactive decision-making.

By understanding these dynamics, we can work towards managing fear's impact on our vision—both on the trail and in life—allowing us to maintain a clearer, more comprehensive view of our path forward.

Find your own line.

In life, just like on the trail, it can be tempting to follow someone else’s line. Following someone’s lead can be helpful when they offer guidance, inspiration, and even safety; but it’s essential to maintain your own perspective. What works for them may not work for you, especially if their goals, skill level, or circumstances differ from yours.

Research on social comparison theory and self-determination theory hits this concept from both sides. Social comparison theory highlights the risks of relying too heavily on external benchmarks to evaluate our progress. While comparing ourselves to others is natural, fixating on someone else’s “line” can lead to dissatisfaction and a loss of autonomy. It pulls us away from our own values, strengths, and vision, leaving us disconnected from what truly matters.

Self-determination theory offers the counterbalance, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness for well-being. Autonomy—charting your own course—is essential for motivation and personal satisfaction. Instead of fixating on others’ paths, life invites us to “look through” their example, drawing inspiration without letting it define us. Maintaining awareness of your broader “trail” ensures you stay aligned with your unique goals and flow, creating space for intentional, authentic choices that reflect your true self.

Practice Makes… Visionary

Here are some journal prompts to help you reflect on how vision—and fear—might be shaping your decisions:

• What fears tend to narrow your focus? How can you acknowledge them without letting them dictate your path?

• Where are you looking right now? Are you fixating on a problem, or are you able to see the opportunities beyond it?

• How can you better balance “Now” and “Next” in your life? What tools or practices might help you stay present while also planning ahead?

Vision is about more than sight—it’s about connection, intention, and trust. Whether on the trail or in life, where we look shapes where we go. I hope these reflections help you find clarity and flow in the week ahead.

– Danielle

1. This post has been created with the help of AI and drew on the original content from episode 5 and outside research. Outside sources have been linked.