More Than Meets The Eye

One of the things I love the most about coaching is the safe space it provides for clients to explore the increasingly prevalent feeling of overwhelm stemming from a landscape of decisions, emotions, and information overload. In a world that seems more complex than ever, it’s inspiring to witness clarity emerge and how clients develop the resilience needed to tackle challenges effectively as they explore these dimensions.?

If you’ve ever found yourself facing this, you’re not alone, particularly in today’s ever-changing, fast-paced environment. So here’s the “so what”: being able to reflect, discern options, and choose empowering perspectives is crucial for personal and professional growth.

A Framework for Clarity

Daniel Kahneman, a renowned psychologist and economist, highlights a key principle: “what you see is all there is.” This concept suggests that individuals often base their judgments on the limited information immediately available to them, neglecting broader contexts and relevant details. For anyone facing dilemmas or seeking direction, understanding this principle is essential. It encourages you to challenge assumptions, seek additional perspectives, and expand your horizons.

Kahneman's model also points out the tendency to rely on mental shortcuts or “heuristics,” which can lead to biases in decision-making. For instance, the anchoring bias suggests that initial information can skew how we perceive reality. Recognizing these biases as you clarify your thoughts and actions will facilitate progress in your personal and professional life.

"The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend." – ~Robertson Davies

Stephen Covey said once that "to change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions." I love this thought because it really highlights the profound impact of mindset on our actions and decisions. Our perceptions shape how we interpret events, define our responses, and ultimately influence our reality.?

If we remain anchored to preconceived notions, we risk missing the complexities and nuances that could lead to growth and understanding. John Lubbock (a British banker, politician, and naturalist known among other things as a key figure in the development of the "invisible hand" concept in economics) had an insight ("what we see depends mainly on what we look for") that reinforces this idea.

When we approach situations with a rigid perspective, we might inadvertently limit our ability to see the full picture. This narrowing of focus can prevent us from identifying valuable insights or alternative solutions that lie just beyond our initial viewpoint.

Bottom line: being flexible in our perspectives allows for a fuller engagement with our experiences, richer insights, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Strengthening the Muscle

It’s largely a matter of perspective—you can choose one that centers on your preconceived notions or one that encourages you to explore different angles. Finding different perspectives can have a profound impact on your life: it informs how you think about issues and choices, ultimately affecting your decisions and actions—and the results that follow.?

Journaling can be particularly helpful. Write about challenges you face and identify possible perspectives to see them from. Give those perspectives names. For example, a viewpoint where you feel you’re undeniably right (influenced by your personal baggage) could be labeled “the judge.” Another might be “the kid,” where everything is new and devoid of judgment—much like how children see the world.?

Engaging in discussions with individuals from diverse backgrounds or fields can also broaden your viewpoint. Listen with an open mind and aim to truly understand their perspectives without judgment. This approach helps cultivate self-awareness and allows you to manage your thoughts and feelings constructively.

The Coaching Perspective

In coaching, we emphasize the importance of embracing the complexity of your thoughts and feelings. As clients learn to step back and assess their situations, they become adept at recognizing when they are trapped in limiting beliefs, disconnected from their own true power, or tied to a perspective that doesn't allow them to move forward, with difficulty to change their angle.

As a coach, my role is to facilitate this journey through tailored strategies and ongoing support, guiding clients to uncover their strengths and opportunities for growth. Encouraging reflective practices enables individuals to develop a broader perspective, fostering a mindset that is both flexible and resilient, helping them navigate life’s complexities with confidence.?

Interested in Coaching?

If you find yourself overwhelmed by the intricacies of decision-making or seeking clarity in your personal or professional life, consider the benefits of coaching. A skilled coach can help you identify what truly matters to you, challenge limiting beliefs, and cultivate empowering perspectives that lead to actionable insights. More importantly, coaching empowers you to focus on "being" and "becoming" who you want to be, rather than merely “doing” to solve immediate problems.

Imagine having a partner who not only helps you clarify your goals but also encourages you to embrace your journey. If you have questions or would like to experience a complementary coaching session, book some time here! Together, we can work on unlocking your potential and setting you on a path to fulfilling your aspirations.