The Power of Perspective: Choosing Your Own Way

In life, the journey is often filled with unexpected challenges and setbacks (aka "the sh*t"). It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks, client demands, and the relentless pursuit of "doing". Yet, amidst all the yuck, there's a powerful truth that can profoundly shape our experience: we have the ability to choose our perspective.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, who said, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way." This quote encapsulates a fundamental aspect of human resilience and empowerment. No matter the external circumstances, we have the intrinsic freedom to choose what we perceive and how we respond. To me, that's powerful.

Let's looks at...

What We Perceive

What we perceive is our reality, so it's important to acknowledge the present moment without unnecessary embellishment (one of my Clients refers to her stories as her own "tele novella," aka Spanish soap opera).

Facing the reality of our circumstances doesn't mean we ignore the challenges or pain; instead, we recognize them objectively, without allowing "what is" to dictate our entire experience and send us into a downward spiral.

When we make up "novellas," we add our own layers of interpretation, assumption, and bias to the facts of our situation. These stories can be influenced by past experiences, fears, or societal expectations, leading us to see things not as they are, but through a distorted lens. This distortion can magnify our anxieties, create unnecessary stress, and lead us down a path of inaction or poor decision-making.

Acknowledging the present moment without these embellishments requires mindfulness and self-awareness to strip away the false narratives and see things as they truly are. For example, if a project is behind schedule, the fact is simply that: it's behind schedule. The embellishment might be the story we create around it – believing it means we are incompetent or that the entire project is doomed. 

Facing the truth of our circumstances with conscious clarity means seeing and accepting reality head-on, even when it's uncomfortable (aka: sh*t). Without the cloud of unnecessary emotion and un-true novellas, we can consciously choose to gain insight from the challenging situation (lessons learned) and then, create our next steps forward. (I call this part "transforming my sh*t into fertilizer for growth")

This approach doesn't ignore the real challenges or pain we may encounter. Instead, it acknowledges the sh*t without letting the sh*t moments define our whole experience. We can allow the struggles, while also recognizing our capacity transform them (kinda like composting). By doing so, we maintain "at choice" with our narrative, ensuring that our perception of reality is balanced and empowering, and we are capable of handling life's ups and downs with greater resilience and wisdom. With a "sh*t to fertilizer" approach, you can become more adept at "composting" your challenges- identifying the issues, creating solutions, and moving forward with confidence and grace. 

Now let's looks at...

The Choice of Attitude

Our attitude towards our circumstances can either be our greatest ally or our biggest hindrance. Imagine two people facing identical setbacks. One views the situation as an insurmountable obstacle, allowing fear and frustration to take hold. The other sees it as a learning opportunity, a chance to grow and innovate. The difference between these two lies not in their circumstances, but in their chosen attitudes.

Choosing an empowering attitude doesn't negate the sh*t in our lives- it enables us to compost the sh*t more effectively. 

Consider the first individual who perceives the setback as an insurmountable obstacle. This perspective can lead to feelings of helplessness and defeat. The focus shifts to what has gone wrong and the perceived inability to change the situation. This mindset often results in a paralysis of action, where fear and frustration dominate, hindering progress and diminishing the person's ability to think creatively or find solutions.

In contrast, the second individual, who sees the same setback as a learning opportunity, harnesses a completely different energy. This person acknowledges the difficulty but chooses to view it through a lens of growth and possibility. Instead of being paralyzed by fear, they become motivated by curiosity and determination. They ask themselves questions like, "What can I learn from this? How can this experience make me better? What new strategies can I develop?" They see their sh*t as a pile of yuck that, while challenging, carries within it the seeds for growth and transformation.

This shift in attitude fosters resilience, creativity and empowerment, encouraging the individual to remain open to experimentation and learning, understanding that each challenge brings valuable insights. 

Choosing one's attitude is not a one-time decision but a continuous practice. Life will inevitably present us with new challenges and setbacks, and each time, we have the opportunity to choose our response. Consistently and consciously choosing an empowering attitude is vital to maintaining motivation and momentum in one's pursuit towards a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

The bottom line is- our attitude is a powerful tool that shapes how we see our reality. By choosing to see challenges as opportunities for growth, we can compost that sh*t and transform it to work for us, not against us.

A few action steps you can take, starting today... 

Practical Steps to Cultivate an Empowering Perspective

1. Practice Mindfulness: Regular mindfulness practices, such as meditation or journaling, can help you stay grounded in the present moment and observe your thoughts without judgment.
2. Reframe Challenges: Whenever you face a setback, consciously reframe it as a learning opportunity. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from this? How can this make me stronger?"
3. Surround Yourself with Good Vibes: Build a support network of positive, like-minded individuals who encourage and uplift you. Their energy and attitudes can significantly influence your own.
4. Gratitude Practice: Cultivate a habit of gratitude. Regularly acknowledging the positive aspects of your life and business can shift your focus from what's lacking to what's abundant.
5. Set Intentions: Begin each day with a clear intention for how you want to show up in your business and life. This can help guide your actions and attitudes throughout the day.

 
I encourage each of you to remain conscious of your perception of reality. And to remember, the power to choose your attitude in any given circumstances is always within you. Embrace it. See the sh*t as an opportunity for growth. Compost it and watch how it transforms your business and life into something extraordinary!