Lately, I’ve been reminding myself not to get so caught up in the doing that I forget why I’m doing it.
It’s easy to get stuck in the weeds. Days are filled with checking off tasks, responding to emails, and managing the day-to-day chaos (and let’s be real, parenting only amplifies that chaos!). If we never step back, we miss the bigger picture, and in Wisconsin, we miss the three most beautiful months of the year.
The truth is, I didn’t start this journey of leadership, entrepreneurship, or motherhood for endless to-do lists. I started because I believed in impact. In creating space. In building something bigger than me.
The trees matter. But so does the forest.
So today, I’m taking a breath, zooming out, and realigning with the vision that lights me up. I’m sharing a few ways I’ve been zooming out and reconnecting to the big picture. I hope it inspires you to do the same.
1. Schedule “vision time” like it’s a meeting
We block off time for calls and tasks. Why not block time to dream, reflect, and reconnect with the why?
Even 20 minutes once a week to journal, walk, or think about what you’re building (and why you’re building it) can realign your energy. To avoid distractions, remember to close the door and turn off electronic notifications.
Ask yourself: What legacy do I want to leave? Am I building it, or am I just busy?
2. Reconnect with someone who reminds you of your purpose
Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a fellow mom who gets it, conversations with people who see you beyond your role can be clarifying.
These chats often provide my clearest insights. We were never meant to carry big visions alone.
3. Zoom out by zooming in (on what really matters)
Sometimes “seeing the forest” means not doing everything.
It means choosing what matters most and letting the rest be background noise.
This season, I’m asking myself: “What’s essential? What’s just noise?” in my work, calendar, and parenting.
Try this: Write down your top 3 priorities for the next 90 days and let those be your decision-making filters.
4. Celebrate progress, not just finish lines
We reconnect with our purpose and power when we acknowledge how far we’ve come (even when we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet). Celebrate the micro-wins, the moments of clarity, and the times you choose rest over hustle. They’re part of the forest, too. If we don’t stop and smell the roses, the memories will fade away to be forgotten.
The forest doesn’t disappear when we’re stuck in the trees; we forget it’s there.
Allow yourself to pause, zoom out, and lead from a place of vision again.
You’re not just managing tasks. You’re creating impact.
And that’s worth stepping back for.
What’s your “forest”? What keeps you grounded when you’re lost in the trees?