The last to know about the water is the fish. Think about that for a second: the fish is in the water, and while you might think it’s the first to see it, it’s so used to its environment that the fish doesn’t think about it. That’s why it’s important to learn how to gain perspective, because we’re guilty of being fish in the water, too.
You can’t see the big picture when you’re focused on a few little details at a time. You’re dealing with a job loss, a breakup, or some other situation that’s gotten you down, even if there is a silver lining. It’s hard to see what’s really going on and what’s going to come from it.
But when you learn how to gain perspective, you can look beyond whatever you’re currently in and take the next steps you need to be able to serve yourself and others.
Be Open to Receiving Perspective
When we are deep in our current reality, it’s hard to see things in the way that others see them. Our friends or family are usually in a different position and can point out things about a situation that we might not see. But we need to be open to receiving their perspective if we want to change our own outlooks.
If you feel like you are the fish that doesn’t see the water, don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and ask for perspective. This is about you advocating for yourself and improving something in your life, and being too afraid to speak up can mean selling yourself short on your potential.
Spend Some Time Alone
It’s hard to find perspective when outside noise is constantly battling for your attention. Alone time can quiet the chaos so you can think clearly and deeply.
Use silence and solitude to ask yourself questions: What are you feeling? Why are you feeling this way? What can you do about it? What are some other ways to look at this?
You might still not get all the answers you need, but taking time to get clear on your thoughts can help you choose a better direction toward resolution.
Spend Time with Others You Trust
Perspective doesn’t just come from within, but also from the people around us. You can gain powerful perspectives through others. We’re all different, and we all have unique stories, experiences, and lessons to share. Learning from others is an excellent way to broaden your own experiences and understanding.
Building a circle of people you can trust gives you a network that will continually feed you with perspective when you need it. Seek out perspective through coaching, support groups, or asking others for it. Make it a point to be around people you know and trust and feel comfortable about receiving feedback from them.
For more tips on how to gain perspective when you’re “in it,” listen to Episode 51 of the Self0Love and Sweat podcast.