The Power of Perspective

“Much in life is simply a matter of perspective. It’s not inherently good or bad, a success or failure; it’s how we choose to look at things that makes the difference.” - David Niven

I’ve been thinking a lot about perspective lately. How easily we label an experience as “good” or “bad” without considering the fuller picture. How often we compare, measure, and judge, when instead we could pause and ask, “What else is possible here?”

Recently, I was reminded of this truth on two trips. On the first trip, I spent time in a mountain cabin with limited cell phone service. At the time, I laughed and called the experience “rustic.” But on the other trip, I stayed in an aging cabin that was not much more than a roof, a cold water tap and a bed. Suddenly, that earlier experience seemed like luxury. The definition of rustic had shifted. Perspective reminded me that my labels and judgments are fluid—dependent on circumstances, expectations, and comparisons.

Perspective also plays a powerful role when we are in new situations. We don’t know what we don’t know. I’ve found one of the most helpful questions to ask is: “What else should I be asking?” This question does two things: it opens doors to insights we might not consider and it reminds us that our view is limited. We can’t see everything, but with an open mind, we can widen the lens of choice through the perspective of someone with more experience.  

Perspective isn’t just about how we see the world; it’s also about how we choose to step back and view situations from multiple angles. That wider lens allows us to shift from rigid judgment to deeper understanding.

Here are some questions for reflection:

1. When faced with a challenge, how can I step back and see the situation through the eyes of each stakeholder involved?

2. What assumptions am I making that could shift if I considered another perspective?

3. How might expanding my perspective change what I label as success (or failure) in this moment?

   
   

Sometimes perspective doesn’t just change the view; it changes the path forward.

This poem was recently shared in a Rotary Club of Evergreen meeting. “Worst Day Ever?” is often attributed to Chanie Gorkin, a high school student from Brooklyn, New York. She originally wrote it in 2015 as part of a school assignment.

Talk about perspective!! Read top to bottom then read it bottom to top:

Today was the absolute worst day ever

And don’t try to convince me that 

There’s something good in every day

Because when you take a closer look 

The world is a pretty evil place

Even if

Some goodness does shine through once in a while

Satisfaction and happiness don’t last

And it’s not true that 

It’s all in the mind and heart

Because

True happiness can be obtained

Only if one’s surroundings are good

It’s not true that good exists

I am sure you can agree that

The reality

Creates

My attitude

It’s all beyond my control

And you’ll never in a million years hear me say that

Today was a good day 

Perspective is a gift we give ourselves (and others) when we choose to pause, reflect, and look again. If you find yourself ready to explore new ways of seeing your challenges or opportunities, I’d love to walk alongside you.

Reach out if you’d like to begin coaching together, or share this blog with a friend who might be asking similar questions. Sometimes, all it takes is the offer of one new perspective to change everything.

In your corner,

Linda