The power of perspective

"I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way." - Mr Keating (Robin Williams), Dead Poets Society, 1989.

I watch 'Dead Poets Society' about once a year. It’s my favourite film. It’s just such a powerful story of friendship, vulnerability, and growing up. There are also a lot of life lessons scattered throughout. One particular scene includes the teacher, Mr Keating, asking his students to come to the front of the room, stand on his desk and look back out across the room.

From high-above, standing on a teacher's desk with their scuffed-up school shoes on, the boys suddenly discover an entirely new version of the classroom. It’s the same room they had been in for months, but they’d never experienced it from this angle. The desks look smaller, the cobwebs closer, the view outside slightly tweaked… the tiniest of details offer a glimpse into a world of new possibilities.

It’s a short scene, but it’s one to hold onto. Because at any time of day, we can choose to ‘stand up on that desk’.

This is the power of perspective. From one angle, we may only see one scenario, but if we open ourselves to view something from an entirely different point of view, a whole new world can appear.

Building a Resilient Marketing Mind - how to apply this to our professional lives.

We must improve the way we think so that we can improve the way we live.

There is incredible power in our ability to look through a different lens. We can change the way we think, and then problems appear as opportunities, setbacks as challenges, and pain as just a signal.

It all depends on how we choose to look at something.

Here’s a tool we can use anytime anywhere: ”CVS to BVS”.

The current view of the situation (CVS) to a better view of the situation (BVS).

Same situation, a better perspective. Here are some examples that might appear in our daily lives:

• “This traffic sucks” → a perfect time to practice patience and breathing.

• “I am going to be late to that meeting” → an opportunity for others to speak.

• “Every brief I get is last minute” → wow they really like to test our abilities.

• “He is such a rude colleague” → perhaps he has a lot going on in his life right now.

• “We have no budget for this campaign” → time to get really creative!

• “This meeting is a waste of time” → let’s find a better way we can run meetings.

• “That campaign was a complete flop” → there were so many lessons to be learnt from that campaign!

CVS to BVS. Current View → Better View.

This sounds super simple, and it is. But that’s also why it works! It’s a small, easy-to-use tool to bring out when we’re facing a tough situation. And because it’s easy-to-use, it’s easy to practice! We must try to remember ‘CVS to BVS’ every chance we feel frustrated or suffocated.

Try it today, and let me know how you go.

I’ll wrap up with one final quote from 17th century Japanese samurai and poet, Mizuta Masahide: “My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon.” (it’s a tad extreme, but you get the idea!)

I teach workplaces and individuals the strategies we all need to improve our mindset and resilience. These are preventative ideas and practical tools to improve our mental health and well-being. Book a free discovery call today.

Until next time friends, stay resilient!

Carre @ Resilient Marketing Minds