Shift Your Perspective, Change Your Life

Happy Friday Friends,

Earlier this week I was out taking my dog Ziggy for a walk. Our favourite is along the cliffs in Dover Heights, Sydney. I’ll share a photo at the end so you can be envious.

So I was out walking Ziggy and while he was sniffing away in some foxhole I was staring out to sea. It wasn’t sunrise but it was early enough that the light was still softly glistening off the ocean. You know that light that's below the level that it doesn’t hurt your eyes to get lost in it. Glorious!

I must have stood there for a good ten minutes, absorbing some vitamin D but also being present in a rare moment of quiet.

I snapped out of it and I whistled for Ziggs. When I turned around to head home the sky that was now in front of me was confronting. Dark, rumbling storm clouds were eating the soft blue sky like a plague of locusts in a cornfield.

I turned back to the ocean - glorious blue skies.Then back behind me - doom!My calm state immediately switched to one of slight panic.Ziggy and I made a mad dash home before the clouds burst.

I wish I’d taken a video of the contrast, it was astonishing and spectacular all at the same time. Then I was thinking about how perspective is a crazy thing. The direction you focus on can have a huge impact on your mental state. And, at the same time, it’s important to be aware of everything going on around you. Be aware without getting distracted because that can easily happen. Rather understand where you are in relation to what the world is doing around you.

This week I want to talk about the importance of perspective in life, work and relationships.

Shift Your View

Similar to my story where my mood and mental space changed based on the horizon in front of me. So too can your view of the world change your brain space. Let me try and explain.Maybe you’re having a tough week. It’s one of those weeks where everything seems to be going wrong. Without even being conscious of it, you’re in a negative state of mind. It becomes a vicious loop - everything you do now for the rest of the week will have a stormy tint to it.

So, the question is, what if we were able to shift our mindset? This is often much easier said than done, especially when you’re deep in the pity burrow.

But, I do think we can learn to shift our perspective. Turn away from the storm, look out to sea and feel refreshed with a new horizon in front of us. You can try and achieve this in a few ways.

MeditationImprove your head space and remove the noise with meditation. Remember, meditation doesn’t always have to be sitting, legs crossed, eyes closed and listening to yourself breathe for 20 minutes. Taking a long walk with no podcasts or music can be as meditative and good for clearing your brain.

Physical ActivityIt’s a fact that any form of physical activity releases endorphins. This simple release of endorphins could be enough to snap you out of a funk. You’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll either tackle the same problems with strength or you’ll realise the problems aren’t problems at all.

Focus on What You LoveSometimes you literally need to turn around and focus on something positive. Do you have a hobby that you love? Maybe sitting down to read a full novel is what you love doing. The point is to find something simple in your life that almost always brings you joy when you do it. Then spend a full day drenching yourself in the happiness that activity brings you.It will not be a waste of time, you’ll be more productive and healthier because of it.

There Are Always 2 Sides to the Coin

Relationships are hard; colleagues, friends, family, children and partners. When it’s smooth sailing and you’re all hugs and smiles life is great. Aligned perspectives play a big part in that scenario. But, the opposite is also true. When your outlook or views are not aligned that is when relationships get bumpy.

Embrace the Complexity of PerspectivesLife is a kaleidoscope of experiences, and each individual's perspective is shaped by their unique upbringing, values, and experiences. Embrace the diversity of viewpoints and allow yourself to see the richness in life's tapestry. I recently saw a quote on Twitter, "We are all seeing the same world, but we are looking at it through different windows." Understanding this quote reminds us that our version of reality is just one facet of a multifaceted gem.

The Power of EmpathyEmpathy serves as a bridge between different perspectives. By putting ourselves in others' shoes, we can grasp their reality and feel compassion. An empathetic mindset enables us to connect with others on a deeper level, promoting understanding and unity. As American writer Maya Angelou once said, "I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it."

Success is a Matter of Perspective

We’ve all worked hard towards a goal. We’ve strived towards it for sometimes what seems like decades. We’ve done many all-nighters. We’ve passed on relationships and special occasions to achieve the perfect grade or unrealistic KPI.

Often though when we think we’re at the rainbow's end, we’ve found the pot of gold, we are not satisfied. It doesn’t feel like we thought it would. Perspective on what success is can change how you feel about the success you’ve achieved.

Question Your BiasesOur perspective is often influenced by unconscious biases and preconceived notions. To broaden our understanding, it's crucial to question our assumptions.

Break free from single narratives and be proud of yourself for taking the first steps down this road. Celebrate small milestones along the way - your journey is more important than your destination.

Resilience through AdversityWhen faced with challenging situations, our perspective can shape how we respond. The Stoics wrote about the theory; life is less about what happens to us but more about how we react to what happens to us. Navigating difficult times requires us to understand that while we can't control external events, we can control how we interpret and respond to them.

We will often encounter situations where our perspective clashes with the reality before us. It's essential to recognise that our outlook on a situation may not always align with the objective reality. Understanding this fundamental difference between perspective and reality can be a valuable tool in navigating difficult challenges and fostering personal growth.

As we journey through life, let us remember that perspective is both our ally and challenge. Like contrasting skies, our outlook paints our world in joy or gloom. Being aware of all, embracing diverse viewpoints, and questioning biases leads to a profound understanding of ourselves and others.

Peace, love and muscles.

Jazza

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