Pulling focus away from a particular problem (and, instead, looking at the environment around it) can lead to better solutions. When we give notes on Pixar movies and isolate a scene, say, that isn't working, we have learned that fixing that scene usually requires making changes somewhere else in the film, and that is where our attention should go. Our filmmakers have become skilled at not getting caught up in a problem but instead looking elsewhere in the story for solutions.
This quote underscores a powerful approach to problem-solving and creative challenges: the importance of adopting a broader perspective. Often, when we encounter difficulties, our instinct is to zoom in tightly on the problem itself, aiming to fix or modify the specific issue at hand. However, this narrow focus can sometimes obscure the root causes or more effective solutions that exist outside the immediate problem area. The analogy drawn from Pixar’s filmmaking process illustrates this well. When a particular scene isn’t working, the solution isn’t always to fix that scene in isolation; rather, it’s to consider how that scene fits into the larger narrative. Changes made to the surrounding scenes or story arc can cascade and resolve the issue more organically. This mindset encourages us to look beyond the immediate obstacle and examine the entire environment or system in which the problem resides. By doing so, we cultivate an ability to identify interconnected factors and leverage broader insights. This approach fosters flexibility, innovative thinking, and often more sustainable solutions. It’s a reminder that solutions don’t always reside within the problem itself but might be found by shifting our perspective and considering the bigger picture. Such a mindset is invaluable across all domains — be it creative projects, business challenges, or personal growth. Truly, success often hinges on our capacity to see the environment around the problem, rather than becoming fixated on the problem alone.
