You're Always Right

Perspective is unbelievably powerful. I'm standing at the counter across from someone else. We are both at a gathering for some friends. We are munching on some amazing hors d'oeuvres and he says, ah I missed all the bacon wrapped dates, I point to the one still sitting there. He didn't see it because the way the dishes were arranged, but it was as plain as day in view to me.

I can't help but be reminded of the power of perspective when I witness things like that. It happens to all of us, we get used to the way the world looks from where we sit, and don't bother moving our heads enough to change our perspective. Why is that? Do we get comfortable with our fears and highs? Or do we really think that's the way life is?

I've read a number of books on the matter. One told of a study where people were specifically reminded of an old lady then shown a picture, they saw an old lady plain as day. Another group were told a strong of a young women, they all saw a young women in the same photo. The two groups then were brought together and asked what they saw. They both argued they were right. Finally they were able to see both images in the same photo when they took the time to listen to the other.

It truly is amazing how powerful our brain is. It will see whatever we tell it, or even what someone else tells us. Whether it's a business opportunity or mountain you wish to climb, whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right.

That saying has been with me for some time now. I try not to ever be in the latter half of it, but like everyone we tend to drift there without ever knowing it. That's why goals and logging it is so powerful. You have to track reality with a log. You can only push limits with consistent effort, otherwise we get stuck in the rubber band effect of life and it snaps back on us because you deep down knew you couldn't escape it.

In order to really push the limits we have to be steady and push with constant effort in the direction we want to go. Success is built on past failures and realizing it's only a little bit further than the last time.

Push forward, look around the corner, challenge your perspective.