With all of the carnage in the financial markets, combined with the non-stop reports of doom in the media, it takes something these days to maintain a balanced perspective. Hence this blog entry.
For me, the past few months have certainly had their ups and downs, and my perspective has taken a beating from time to time. Thankfully, there are a number of things I do to help keep it more balanced. Without those practices, however, I think I would be shrouded in fear, and not much else. After all, that's pretty well the only thing that's being sent our way these days.
So, HOW DOES ONE MOVE FROM FEAR TO CONFIDENCE? Here are a few ways:
- Look back at past situations where you felt your "survival" or wellbeing was at stake. Remember that you're ok now, and repeat the lessons you learned there (from your successes and your failures).
- Read something inspiring.
- Read something empowering.
- Review past accomplishments and remember you can do even more now.
- Put yourself a year into the future, and give your "current self" advice on how to manage the situation, and on what the bigger picture looks like. I've done this in the past, and my coach did this with me today because I needed it. It's a fantastic perspective-setter.
- Talk to some good friends and ask their advice.
- Get some exercise.
- Take a vacation – even for a day.
- Focus on the positive things that are happening.
- Spend some time feeling grateful for what you already have.
- Consider what the absolute worst case scenario would look like (e.g. personal bankruptcy, or whatever), then figure out a plan for how you'd manage that. Once you're ok with that plan, you can use that to remind yourself that, no matter what, you'll be fine.
- And, last but not least, go out and have fun for an evening.
I'm about to taking the latter point of advice.
My wife and I are in Boston at the moment, joining a great group of colleagues and friends to celebrate this special time of year. I have known many of them for more than 10 years now. Some I am very close to, and some of them I haven't seen in YEARS. I am very thankful for all of them. I'm excited about the evening; excited to be able to take part, and grateful to have them in my life. So, tonight and tomorrow, my perspective on things will be that much better than it was earlier today. It's already improved dramatically since my call with my coach this afternoon.
I will end this posting with some wise words spoken to me last Friday at a professional development day by a colleague and friend of mine who lives in Wales, named Wyn Jones:
- A change in pace
- Plus a change in place
- Equals a change in perspective.
Often, it's as simple as that.
Give yourself the gift – at least once a month, and maybe once a week. These days, we all need it.
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