Creating perspective

The instructor, Todd, speaks to us from a brightly lit lounge with Urban Decor. When change hits, it can feel daunting. What you need is a little perspective. The very first thing I want you to do is nothing, that's right. Sometimes it's best to step back and not try to manage the issue immediately. There are many examples of change in your professional life, whether it's a business change, like an unexpected merger or layoff, budget freezes or new regulations. A slide with a turquoise gradient background is titled "Gain Perspective". Points appear underneath as Todd speaks. In any case, don't immediately make definitive decisions. Acknowledge the change. Find out why it happened. Acknowledge that it happened. And try to find out why. But don't be rash. We return to the instructor. Very often, when change hits, emotions go into overdrive. On a slide with a turquoise gradient background, words scroll into view and then recede. No big decisions for 48 hours. So here's the rule. Don't make any big decisions for at least 48 hours. We return to the instructor. Depending on what's happened, you'll be thinking about your team or maybe your family, who knows? Whatever it is, resist making big decisions for at least 48 hours. Allow the emotions to go back to normal so you can more rationally begin analyzing the situation and thinking about your next move. We return to the slide titled Gain Perspective. Another point appears; seek counsel. The text collapses and disappears. Next, seek counsel. Hey, you don't know it all and don't need to try and reinvent the wheel. We return to the instructor. Reaching out for assistance once in a while is normal and healthy. Call or sit down with your boss, a mentor, or maybe a professional coach. Speaking with them cannot only give you actionable advice, but also reminds you that you're not the first to face this issue. Next, let's consider three very useful cognitive exercises. A slide with a turquoise gradient background is titled Build Perspective. A point appears underneath as Todd speaks. That help you build a more productive perspective. One, reduce the challenge into smaller parts. The first is to reduce the challenge to smaller parts. The words disappear. A thin white line cuts across the slide forming a jagged peak. Don't focus on the mountain. The peak's outline fades. A winding, dotted line, leads from the man to the top of the peak. Focus on the first step or two you need to take to get over the mountain. We return to the instructor. The more you look at the component parts of the challenge, the less you feel the issue becomes so big and overwhelming. We return to the slide titled Build Perspective. Another point appears. Two, consider past experiences. Then I want you to check your memory. If you think about it, it's very likely that you faced this issue in the past. We return to the instructor. If not, you've seen something similar. Even if that's not true, you know you can search your network and find someone who has. The memories of these past experiences or experiences shared with you, help you remember that this is just another change that you can successfully conquer. We return to the slide titled Build Perspective. Another point appears. Three, look beyond your own experiences. The text collapses and disappears. Okay, last tip. If you want to build perspective, stop comparing the change you're facing only to your past experiences, think bigger. We return to the instructor. Think about how your father worked three jobs to keep the family going. Think about your friend who's built a thriving career while beating cancer three separate times. Is the change you're facing really so big? Maybe, but it won't seem so tough when you change your reference points. Whatever change you might be feeling burdened with right now, let me ask you to actively go find more productive perspectives. Then take that energy and share it with anyone else facing the issue with you so you can help them gain perspective too.