How often do you take a look at the world around you and decide that something is wrong or that something is right? Judging by conversations I hear everyday those assessments of right or wrong, good or bad, valuable or worthless and more, happen all the time.
Have you ever thought about where those assessments come from? They come from our perspective which is made up of everything we’ve accepted as true – whether true or not.
Challenging our own perspectives is a healthy thing. Challenging the perspectives of others is also good, although the process needs to be based on curiously rather than argument.
A good way to start challenging or altering your perspective is to work at changing your point of view when things are a bit out of sorts. When you’re heading toward a “feeling of funk” start making a list of all the things that are right in your life.
I heard a great story the other day about a guy who had lost his job and had a “the world is coming to an end” perspective about it. As he was complaining to a friend, that friend said, “I’m really sorry to hear that your kids are so sick.” The guy responded, “What are you talking about? My kids are great and very healthy.” The friend then said, “Oh, then I’m really sorry you and your wife are splitting up.” The guy shot back, “That’s crazy. I love my wife and we have a great marriage.”
It only took a few more similar exchanges of conversation and the man’s perspective about loosing his job changed completely.
Another area of life that is influenced by perspective is what we think about the behavior of others. If you find yourself judging the behavior of others, take a minute to ask yourself, “What do I really know about this person? Just because his or her behavior is out of sorts with what I believe as true does that necessarily make it wrong or bad?”
I’m not trying to get too deep here. It’s just that I’ve seen many situations, business and personal, end up as disasters because of wrong perspectives.
When you think about it, challenge your perspective. You may be surprised by what you learn.
bradlhall
December 5, 2011
Great post Brian. Changing our own perspective is probably one of the most challenging and enlightening things we can do. It’s easier said than done, but well worth the time.