Vision of an Eagle

Bald Eagles are magnificent birds. Their enormous wingspan and muscular body make them a formidable predator. But the most impressive thing about this powerful creature, is its vision. Renowned for their excellent sight, the Bald Eagle is able to see forward and to the side at the same time. They can spot a rabbit from over a mile away and are capable of seeing a fish from several hundred feet above.

Their innate talent has inspired many cultures but none more so than the Native Americans, who view the Bald Eagle as the ultimate symbol of freedom. Intuitive and swift-thinking, the bird offers their shamans ‘breadth of vision and clarity of perception’. As with Native wisdom, when looking at the Bald Eagle, there are many lessons we can apply to our own work.

Elevated Thinking

Bald Eagles generally fly at a higher altitude than most other birds, providing them with perspective unrivalled by their competition. From this position they are privy to more information about their environment and have a better understanding of the opportunities or threats facing them. They use this ability to see the ‘big picture’ and ‘overall pattern’ to their advantage when making decisions about their future, and that keeps them one step ahead of their competition. When facing tough situations, imagine taking a Bald Eagle’s view of your business and its competition and you will be able to make more informed decisions about its future.

Unwavering Focus

Bald Eagles are the ultimate bird, there’s nothing mediocre about them. Most important are their magnificent eyes, which enable them to see forward and side to side simultaneously with unparalleled accuracy and sharpness. They use this ability to the optimum, singling out prey from hundreds of feet away and diving to snatch it with astounding precision. However, if they miss their target, they quickly adjust and soar high to position themselves again for attack. They are decisive and powerful when they decide to act and are not put off if they don’t achieve their desired result straight away. When following your vision, there can be many obstacles to overcome. If you feel your sense of purpose wavering, remember the Bald Eagle approach – keep trying until you succeed.

Liberated Mind

Incredibly powerful flyers, Bald Eagles soar high above the landscape shaking loose the noise of the other birds below. In doing so they enter into a distraction-free space where they can attain a sense of peace, calm and mindfulness. In business we are bombarded with the thoughts and opinions of others; from advertisers to influencers we are whipped up into a frenzy of panic over what we have and haven’t done to ensure the success of our business. But by following the flight of the Bald Eagle we can free ourselves of the panic and fear brought on by the pressure of these external forces. Not all advice is helpful and not every smartie has the answer. Take time to choose the information that is right for you and if you feel that it isn’t, rise above it.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Bald Eagles are masters of conserving energy. When flying, they rarely flap their wings but instead hold their wings completely flat and use the force of the wind to drive them. Rather than catch their own prey, they often poach meals from smaller creatures who have done all the hard work. Native wisdom doesn’t honour laziness or stealing but more opportunism, efficiency and resourcefulness. If you feel like you’re struggling, consider whether you could achieve better efficiency in your business by utilising the skills of others.

Bald Eagles were put on the endangered species list in 1978. Under threat from trapping, shooting and poisoning, the symbolic bird was facing extinction. But after a period of conservation they are now thriving in their natural habitat. They still face uncertainties but are under the watchful eye of passionate individuals, committed to ensuring the safety of their future. As in the case of the Bald Eagle, everyone needs help from time to time. Someone to shout about the significance of your existence. Make sure you surround yourself with passionate advocates of your vision and your story will become one of spectacular success.