I was inspired to write this blog after an utterly basic everyday life moment exchanged with my husband.  I’d asked him to steam clean the fabric chairs in our house. Hey don’t blame me, I warned you it was basic. He shared that it wasn’t possible because the casing that holds the cleaning fluid was leaking profusely. The multiple demonstrations over our kitchen sink confirmed that indeed it was leaking. After glancing at the casing and then at the steam cleaning device I asked “What if you hold the casing upright instead of upside down?”. After all, that is the way the casing would fit back into the device. Sheepishly, my darling husband said, “Yep, that should work.”. Our fabric chairs are now pristinely clean.

 

“A shift in perspective opens a completely new set of unlimited possibilities.”

– Satsuki Shibiya

 

Broadly speaking, perspective is the way we see the world. If we zoom in, one may realize that perspective is the way we see things within the microcosm of every moment. It is unique to each individual based on several factors ranging from the simplicity of physical positioning and line of sight to lived experiences and ingrained beliefs. I assure you, the difference in perspective between myself and husband in the above example was based on the former which was relatively easy to shift.  What’s not so easy to shift is a perspective based on the latter.

 

When considering how many times my perspective has stood in the way of finding a fitting answer, along with others I’ve had the opportunity to lead, I easily run out of fingers and toes to count them on. Funny how close the answer is, yet how hard it may be to find if one cannot shift their perspective to embrace that elated feeling of an “aha moment”.

 

The quandary at hand is how one shifts their perspective. I’m no subject-matter-expert, but I have a few personal tips that may help.

 

  • Recognize when you’re stuck – Change doesn’t happen without first accepting reality.  
  • Ask yourself a few reflection questions – What do I know to be the absolute truth?  What is another way of looking at this?
  • Ask others to share their perspective – Then be absolutely present, listening with curiosity and without bias.
  • Change your scenery – Move around, maybe even get some fresh air, so that you can clear your head.
  • Breathe – Taking a deep breath activates your vagus nerve which, if needed, will interrupt your fight or flight thinking.
  • Rephrase how you express things – For example, consider the shift from “I have to” to “I get to”.
  • Start small – Sometimes change or simply progress is easier to ignite when we take several small steps versus trying to make one giant leap.
  • Sleep on it – Put some space and rest between you and the matter at hand. Fresh thinking breeds fresh ideas.

 

Like most things in life, perspective is a double edge sword. Explore it from all angles and discover what’s possible.

 

– Melissa Law