January traditionally presents itself as a month brimming with possibilities and new beginnings. It’s a time to set goals for the future, and embrace a fresh perspective.
What is a fresh perspective anyway?! Researching this week, I landed upon an article from Idealist.org (June, 2021) about gaining perspective. I’d like to share some key points from the article to get you started.
Follow your awe
What do you find awe-inspiring? Research from the Association of Psychological Science shows that the experience of awe—defined as “the emotion that arises when one encounters something so strikingly vast that it provokes a need to update one’s mental schemas”—can change your perception of time so that you feel like you have more of it during the day, which has an impact on decision making.
Whether it’s the beauty of a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon or a contemplation of the age of the universe, experiences like these place your daily life in a different perspective. Broadening your perspective beyond your current situation can make the situation feel more workable often times.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Utilize the power of “Yes, and…” thinking
Improv comedians like Tina Fey and Wayne Brady have built careers on getting out of their heads and building on the possibilities in the moment. Each of us has our own habits of mind—things we are reflexively negative about, and the stories we repetitively tell ourselves about what is or isn’t possible.
Maybe you don’t apply for certain jobs or pitch ideas at work because you’re sure that it won’t be successful. But there are ways to break out of that sort of thinking.
Notice “all or nothing” thinking
Even if you don’t think of yourself as a perfectionist, you might still fall prey to the tendency to split your perspective into extremes. Maybe this manifests when you procrastinate on an important task because you haven’t quite found the most original approach.
Or maybe you tend to view your performance at job interviews as either totally amazing or utterly horrible with absolutely no gray area in between. If you catch yourself using red-flag words like “always” or “never” it’s time to expand your focus.
Put yourself in someone else’s shoes
Empathy is a great tool for approaching situations from a new angle. We often forget that our own frame of reference is only one among many. By putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, be it someone else on your team, an interviewer, or a potential client, you’re not only broadening your perspective but also increasing your ability to connect with others in an authentic way.
Image by Davie Bicker from Pixabay
Zoom out, but don’t zone out
As we’ve discussed, looking at the big picture has its benefits, but thinking about long-term possibilities and looking at a decision from all possible angles can create its own type of overwhelm. Once you’ve gained perspective by zooming out, pay attention to which details are important to achieving your goals, and take time to make sure you have sufficient information to make a decision.
2024 Perspective
Starting with a blank slate is an exciting perspective to have to start the year! My 2024 perspective includes offering more live interactive ways to field questions you’re having about getting started, updating, and dealing with new variables you encounter with your contingency plans.
If you have a topic of interest to you, I invite you to send me an Email or Message. What I offer for you to DIY or work specifically with me can be found on my @ The Living Planner or @ The Living Planner.
Sharing this quote from an unknown Author “January, the month of new beginnings and fresh starts, holds the key to unlock your biggest dreams.” To new beginnings and fresh perspective ❣️Lynn
#PlanForTheUnplanned #Can’tPredictCanPrepare