The Magic of Changing Perspectives
Have you ever had to deal with a problematic situation where you blew it out of proportion? Is it possible that you found yourself totally associated to the problem (i.e. seeing the situation from your own eyes)? This probably left you with little options to resolve the problem as you saw it through your own perspective. But how would it be, if you had the ability to disassociate from the problem so that you "gain some perspective" on it and get through it with less of an emotional response?
The ability to look at situations differently is a very powerful tool used by most high achievers. Creative artists do this all the time - they have the ability to look at their art or painting from a completely different perspective. Good negotiators do this all the time - they are able to perceive what the customer is thinking and is looking for, and then position themselves accordingly. So do most great sports-persons who use this to outsmart their opponents, and demonstrate the resilience to bounce back.
These people use the power of disassociation to view a situation from the other person’s or sometimes, a completely independent perspective. Disassociation is completely alienating yourself from your body and thoughts, and be able to view yourself as if you were a different person.
Let us say you have a relationship issue with another person. Now, most relationship issues occur because people hang on to their beliefs and values which they assume to be true, and hence, unable to appreciate what the other person is trying to say. So how would it be if you are able to get out of your mind, walk into the other person’s mind, and be able to look at the same situation how he / she is viewing it? This would then enable you to view the situation differently and be able to appreciate the other person’s view points. Similarly, in a state of conflict, you could also move to a neutral position and view this as if you are not the ‘involved’ party but just an ‘interested’ party.
This ability to view from different perceptual positions is so powerful, that people get those breakthroughs as to where the problem lies and are able to deal with it effectively.
This can also be applied for –
Similarly, the applications can be many. What it really does is, put you up in a position of strength where you are well prepared to deal with people. The technique works particularly well with people who have relationship issues.
Have you ever had to deal with a problematic situation where you blew it out of proportion? Is it possible that you found yourself totally associated to the problem (i.e. seeing the situation from your own eyes)? This probably left you with little options to resolve the problem as you saw it through your own perspective. But how would it be, if you had the ability to disassociate from the problem so that you "gain some perspective" on it and get through it with less of an emotional response?
The ability to look at situations differently is a very powerful tool used by most high achievers. Creative artists do this all the time - they have the ability to look at their art or painting from a completely different perspective. Good negotiators do this all the time - they are able to perceive what the customer is thinking and is looking for, and then position themselves accordingly. So do most great sports-persons who use this to outsmart their opponents, and demonstrate the resilience to bounce back.
These people use the power of disassociation to view a situation from the other person’s or sometimes, a completely independent perspective. Disassociation is completely alienating yourself from your body and thoughts, and be able to view yourself as if you were a different person.
Let us say you have a relationship issue with another person. Now, most relationship issues occur because people hang on to their beliefs and values which they assume to be true, and hence, unable to appreciate what the other person is trying to say. So how would it be if you are able to get out of your mind, walk into the other person’s mind, and be able to look at the same situation how he / she is viewing it? This would then enable you to view the situation differently and be able to appreciate the other person’s view points. Similarly, in a state of conflict, you could also move to a neutral position and view this as if you are not the ‘involved’ party but just an ‘interested’ party.
This ability to view from different perceptual positions is so powerful, that people get those breakthroughs as to where the problem lies and are able to deal with it effectively.
This can also be applied for –
- Relationship issues between husband and wife, with in-laws, teenaged children, and colleagues.
- Solving problems – looking at the problem from different perspectives
- Developing Proposals for customers – be able to view how the customer is thinking, get into their shoes and walk through their mindset
- Negotiations – what are the beliefs that the other person is carrying, and what is the data they could be gathering, what are their issues, their budget, what would be their approach
- Giving Presentations at important meetings- sensing who the audience is and what are they looking for, and what kind of questions one can expect, and also what answers they would be satisfied with.
Similarly, the applications can be many. What it really does is, put you up in a position of strength where you are well prepared to deal with people. The technique works particularly well with people who have relationship issues.