Take Off the Blinders: Why Your Career Needs Peripheral Vision
Have you ever watched a horse wearing blinders?
Blinders serve a purpose. They keep the horse focused on the road ahead, reducing distractions and helping it pull steadily toward its destination. For a carriage horse navigating busy streets, that singular focus is essential.
But your career isn't a straight road.
In fact, some of the greatest opportunities you'll ever encounter won't appear directly in front of you. They'll come from the side—a conversation at a conference, a volunteer opportunity, a skill you never thought you'd need, or a connection that introduces you to an entirely different path.
If you're only looking straight ahead, you may miss them.
The Trap of Tunnel Vision
Many designers begin their careers with a very specific picture of success.
"I want to become a hospitality designer."
"I want to work at this firm."
"I only want to work with this type of client."
Goals are valuable. They provide direction and motivation. But sometimes we become so committed to reaching one destination that we fail to notice an even better opportunity unfolding just outside our field of view.
Tunnel vision often sounds like:
"That's not part of my job."
"I've never done that before."
"I'm an interior designer—not a sales person."
"I'm waiting until I have more experience."
The irony? The people with the most interesting careers often arrived there by saying "yes" to something they hadn't planned.
Careers Don’t Follow Straight Lines
If you read our book, you know that all of the career stories that we featured there, are full of twists and turns. None of them were perfectly mapped-out routes. And all have moments of uncertainty and change of direction.
Most successful careers are a collection of unexpected turns:
↠ A mentor who opened a door (see Jenny’s story)
↠ A passion that became a business (see Nicole’s story)
↠ A volunteer role that built leadership skills (see Aga’s story)
↠ A presentation that led to speaking opportunities (see Megan Stone’s story)
↠ A difficult career shift that uncovered a hidden strength (see Robbyn’s story)
These moments weren't always part of the original plan.
They were simply visible because someone was paying attention.
Expand Your Field Vision
Think of your career like driving through unfamiliar territory.
If you're staring only at the pavement ten feet ahead of your car, you'll likely miss the exit you needed, the scenic overlook, the warning sign, or the shortcut that saves you hours.
Good drivers constantly scan the horizon, check their mirrors, and remain aware of what's happening around them.
The same principle applies to career growth.
Ask yourself:
What industries are influencing mine?
What skills are becoming more valuable?
Who inspires me outside of interior design?
What problems are businesses trying to solve?
What conversations keep showing up that I'm ignoring?
Often, the answers reveal your next opportunity.
Looking Sideways Isn't Losing Focus
Broadening your vision doesn't mean abandoning your goals. It means allowing your goals to evolve. Sometimes the opportunity beside you becomes the bridge to where you ultimately want to go.
↠ The internship leads to mentorship.
↠ The committee leads to leadership.
↠ The article leads to speaking.
↠ The speaking leads to consulting.
↠ The consulting leads to entrepreneurship.
None of those steps may have been visible when you first started walking.
This Week's Challenge
Take off the blinders for just one week. Instead of asking, "What's next?" ask:
“What am I not seeing?”
“Who should I meet outside my usual circle?”
“What new skill would make me more valuable?”
“What conversation have I been avoiding because it feels unfamiliar?”
Your next opportunity may not be directly in front of you. It may already be standing just outside your peripheral vision—waiting for you to look up.