Peripheral Vision

Over this winter I have been playing with the implications of habitual use of various ranges of vision, in life as well as in sport. Part of my NLP training includes the widening use of the senses, and there I really learnt about peripheral vision from Tara Dominick, NLP Trainer http://www.flipsidetraining.co.uk/ and www.livingcreatively.co.uk (I thought I knew what she meant when she first described it - after all, wasn’t I a top sportsperson? But no – she really opened my eyes – literally).

The first fascination was sparked by the information that people use peripheral vision when driving, and those who do this a lot do not find themselves growing sleepy at the wheel – which is a big problem for me on any journey over 90 minutes. So I’ve been trying it out. Not only do I find it easier to stay awake, but the constant absorption of more data seems to keep me more alert and less tired at the end of the journey. I am also able to resist snacking – which I normally do to try and keep awake.

The second revelation has been using it in groups when I am in coaching or lecture mode. I can pick up people’s reactions all over the room, and my sense of timing of appropriate interventions is more accurate now.

The third discovery has been the enhanced ability to observe a group of people in action and be able to pick up either patterns or breaks in the flow of behaviours. And I thought this was skill that was closed to me.

The fourth thought that I am still exploring is that a sailors’ starting preference depends on their sight preference – peripheral or tight focus.

I have been guided by a colleague to website for training visual ability and flexibility – http://www.eyethinksport.com/ . Developed for team sports where knowledge of the positioning of either team-mates or competition is a key part of a player’s proficiency, the tasks, especially undertaken daily, create a training package well worth exploring. The ‘mind gym for the eye’ is really good and certainly expands anyone’s visual capacity.