Insight: Bringing in the new year with 20/20 vision

By Lorraine Glowczak

Already, in the blink of an eye, we are celebrating the new year. For the next month or so, most of us will be trying hard to remember to pen “2020” when writing the date. But perhaps what may be more challenging is executing our resolutions and visions for the year.

January 1st is a perfect time to reset the dial, refocus and begin anew – whether it is to follow our dreams in a big way or to live a healthy, balanced and happy life. Whatever it is, January seems to be the time we tell ourselves that THIS is THE year to make our visions a reality.

However, what at first might seem like an effortless approach in reaching our goals, often turns into stubborn, hurdle jumping projects by the end of February. On top of that, sprinkle in some unexpected curve balls and within six weeks we sometimes have misplaced our dreams and have lost our way. The fact is, nothing goes as perfectly as planned and this is where having 20/20 vision may come in handy while accomplishing our aspirations more realistically.

I recently learned that the well-known eye chart measurement of 20/20 vision does not mean perfect eyesight. 20/20 does not mean perfection. It simply indicates a “normal” standard measurement of visual acuity. According to Clevelandclinic.org, “Having good visual acuity means that you see things with clarity at a standard distance. It does not include depth perception, peripheral vision, or color blindness.”

When our standard/normal vision changes and needs adjustment, we often turn to glasses to correct that vision. Glasses work by bending light, so it is in focus on the retina. Much like the retina, we may require a corrective bend with our personal life goals in order to move forward with a bit more understanding and depth.

Depth perception is the ability to see things in three dimensions. American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that our two eyes see an object from slightly different angles and our brain compares and processes the two sets of information to form a single image.

In the case of moving toward our ambitions, life events beyond our control can change the route we travel. As a result, we end up in a landscape that looks nothing like we envisioned, and it can throw us for a loop. But with a little bit of depth perception – and some flexibility – we can see our dreams from different angles, making the image we once had about our dreams sharper and more focused, helping us to become more clear about what is most important and what is no longer needed to reach our goals. Also known as tunnel vision. But we might consider treading lightly here and incorporate a bit of peripheral vision, too.

In an article for Fast Company Magazine, author Adam Steele encourages us not to be too consumed by tunnel vision. He suggests including experiences that often sit on the peripheral edges of our journey and that we find personally meaningful. He states that reading certain books, visiting certain places, and sharing certain experiences with loved ones are all equally valid goals that can help us stay grounded as we stay focused on reaching those bigger goals. And, I will add that including the peripheral daily experiences, we will not be blind to the color and beauty that life affords us and we sometimes miss.

So, when June rolls around in five months and if you feel you have let yourself down by not reaching all you set out to do in 2020, remember that even 20/20 vision isn’t perfect. You don’t need to wait until next January to reset the dial once again. Refocus, begin anew and enjoy the ride.

Happy 2020!