Perspective

Where do you go to regain your sense of perspective or discover a new one?

Every quarter, I take time out of my practice to work on it.

This time, I took off to the coast for my deep dive, physically and metaphorically.

After months of working within the same four walls, I needed a fresh perspective. The sort that comes from long beaches, high cliffs and wide oceans.

Stephen Covey said that, ‘most people live life as if they were looking through a telephoto lens, at what’s immediately in front of them’.

At the beach, we can’t just look at what’s immediately in front of us. There is so much going on. Sea hawks in the air, toddlers in the shallows and surfers on the crests of waves in the distance. Majestic cliffs above and tiny shells underfoot.

All are important pieces of the beach jigsaw. If one piece is missing, the picture’s not complete.

It’s a good reminder to look beyond what’s immediately in front of us when working with groups to find innovative solutions to tricky problems. Adjust the telephoto lens to a wide angle or a zoom and see what emerges from the blurry background and comes into frame.

The shift in my daily routine also helps me to regain my perspective. Diving into the salt water at the start of the day invigorates me for the deep dive into work.

What’s working and what’s not. What’s possible and what matters.

Where do you go to shift your perspective? The mountains, the bush, a river or the beach? Comment below with your response. I’d love to know.

PS: Curious about the power of perspective? Join me at a Show What Matter™ walkshop in December or January. Details and to book here.