Perspective As A Learning Tool

“It’s better than the alternative.”

That’s what my grandfather used to say whenever he was asked how he was doing. He was, of course, referring to aging as being better than dying. He always had a unique way of stating things. But his perspective was a good one. Aging, as they say, isn’t for the weak - in other words, not a ton of fun - but it’s also a gift if you can open your mind to it as such.

I’ve been reading about a lot of people who have started new companies or hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic because they were laid off or otherwise “given” the time by their current situations. While it’s always easier to focus on the negative (a proven scientific point, by the way), we can choose to find something positive in every situation if we work hard enough. COVID has been devastating in many ways but it has also turned many people toward their passion and given them the time to pursue it. I’ve seen financial executives turn their photography hobby into a full time business, an advertising friend start an interior design business that’s thriving (and she never plans to go back to advertising), and an operations director start his own manufacturing recruiting business. Each of these people took a bad situation and found a silver lining.

Further, perspective is important to remember in relationships. For them to work, we have to be willing to try and understand how others view situations. We are not all built the same, we do not all think alike, and we bring unique perspectives to every experience. At times, we don’t even see things alike, even if we’re actually looking at the exact same thing. Remember those visual tests where you can look at an image and see a young woman but someone else sees an elderly lady in the same image? Perspective.

If you want to truly make the most of relationships - whether it be friendship, work-related, or romantic, you have to be willing to listen to another perspective and sometimes let go of some of your own preconceived notions to find a middle ground. Easier said than done, I know, but the truth is when we can open our minds to how others regard things, we benefit from the power of learning from others.

“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” ― Aldous Huxley

So as you continue to grow in your career and personal life, remember that perspective is very often based on our own unique experiences. But the world is vast and there are many things we have not yet - or may never - experience that others have. So open your mind to hearing what others have to say and think. And remember that every situation can be viewed in a myriad of ways. It’s up to you to choose which view to take.