My question for you today is,
Have you ever been stuck on a problem, unable to find a solution no matter how hard you try? Sometimes, the solution lies in looking at the problem from a different angle, with a fresh perspective. In fact, having a different perspective can be a powerful tool in problem-solving, and in personal growth.
Today we’re going to be talking about the power of a different perspective. And more specifically, how can you let go of your own limiting perspectives so that you can be open to new possibilities in your life.
What is a Different Perspective?
A different perspective refers to looking at a situation or problem from a viewpoint that is different from your own. It means trying to see things through the eyes of another person or looking at things from a new angle.
This can help you to then gain insights and solutions that you may not have thought of before.
Why is a Different Perspective Powerful?
There are several reasons why having a different perspective is a powerful tool.
When you approach a problem from a different perspective, you may be able to see solutions that were previously hidden. This can help you come up with even more creative and effective solutions.
When you try to see things from another person’s perspective, it can help you to develop empathy and understanding. This can improve your relationships, communication, and even your collaboration with others.
How Can You Develop a Different Perspective?
I’m a total fan of personal development and self study but when it comes to being stuck in a pattern, I believe that the fastest way to develop a different perspective is to enlist the help of another person.
When we are stuck in a pattern, we usually are not thinking solely logical or rationally about the situation. Rather, we are usually invested emotionally in the perspective. So we have an attachment to being right in the viewpoint that we’re holding.
Here is where working with someone can help a great deal in helping you to gently come to the understanding of a new perspective.
A Case Study In Developing a Different Perspective
One of my favorite stories about developing a different perspective comes from working with a client from many years ago. Let’s call him Bob Smith.
Bob was having sessions about once a month and the reason that Bob came to me and started his sessions was because he was having trouble getting into a relationship. In fact, he had not had a relationship, or even been on a date, in about the previous six years.
He had been married for many years to his high school sweetheart and eventually they got divorced. Since the divorce Bob felt very stuck in this area of his life.
Previously, we had only worked together about two times. Now I’m in preparation for his third session. I skim over the notes from his past sessions and I’m ready to start.
I give him a call, because about 99% of my sessions are done over the phone or video calls. I start talking to Bob and after the usual greetings and pleasantries, I ask him if there is anything specifically that he’d like to address today.
He tells me that, Yes, I’d like to talk about if I should let my girlfriend move in with me.
Now I start to panic because my notes say this is Bob Smith who hasn’t had a date in six years and this guy on the phone is saying he wants to know if he should allow his girlfriend to move in with him!
I apologized and said, I am so sorry. I think I have the wrong notes in front of me. Is this Bob Smith?
He said, Yes, this is Bob Smith.
I apologized again and I said that I think that I just grabbed the wrong file. I asked him, Is this Bob Smith who lives in New York City and we last spoke about a month ago?
He said, Yeah, that’s me.
Now I’m panicking a little but I said to him, Okay, I just want to make sure I have the right notes in front of me. Is this Bob Smith that lives in New York City and you haven’t been dating for six years since you were divorced?
To which he impatiently responds, Yes, this is me. But that cleared up after our first session. You helped me to realize that I was still holding on to my past marriage. I thought I had told you. After that session I met a woman while at the park. We’ve been dating ever since and getting along great but now she wants to move in with me and that’s what I’d like to talk about. Can we get on with it?
Honestly, I tried hard to not to laugh out loud but it really showed me this is the power that a different perspective can really have in our lives!
Knowledge versus Acceptance
Here is what happened during that first session. I noticed that as he spoke about his relationship with his ex-wife he kept using the phrase, “My wife” repeatedly.
This caught my attention. It didn’t take a psychic to see that he still had an attachment to the idea of this woman being his wife, even though she is now his ex-wife.
What I was able to do was to emotionally guide him through the process of becoming aware, and then emotionally accepting that he was still attached to the idea that he was still married to his ex-wife.
I invited him to see the perspective that he was holding of the emotional attachment but to do so without judgment.
He was then able to come into an emotional acceptance that he was no longer married. And that’s the real key in developing a different perspective
New Possibilities by Reaching Out for Help
It’s not enough to simply acknowledge that you are holding on to a view of a situation. It’s about allowing someone to guide you into the emotional acceptance of a new viewpoint. This is what enables you to embrace the new perspective.
Just like Bob meeting his new girlfriend shortly after our first conversation, I believe that you too can heal from past situations and old hurts that have been holding you in place.
So now let me ask you.
Are there any areas in your life where you may be stuck on a problem because of a limiting perspective?
Are you ready to take on a different perspective of the situation?
I believe that there are times when having another person help to guide you can really be a transformative experience.
If you’d like to work one-on-one with me I’m here to help. You can reach out to me through my Contact page and set up a time for us to work together.
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I hope this has been helpful and insightful.