Social Convergence
If you find yourself glued to the internet, waiting for the apex of the curve and awaiting for governments to provide a date when you can go back to shopping or going to restaurants, etc you are missing a huge opportunity!
I have seen a number of people become upset because they recently found out that going back to normal or “what was” is much farther away than originally anticipated.
This is the time to practice perspective. Your perspective is what dictates your reactions!
In this current situation, many of us have obstacles. We definitely can’t change the obstacles but we can change how we approach, define and talk to ourselves about them.
How can you change your perspective?
- Start by taking the word “I” out of sentences which describe how you feel. When you make statements such as “I am afraid”, you are stating that all of you is fearful. How can that be possible? Every part of you and your life is afraid? All this does is allow you to be consumed and overwhelmed with the situation. The language we use - even our internal talk - is critical to our perspective. Here is a great example. Stop saying “social distancing”. It is simply physical distancing. By making a small tweak to the words we use it changes what we are actually thinking. I personally am viewing this time as “social converging” (the opposite of distancing!)
- Define and understand what is in your power. This provides context for what choices you have. In spite of the circumstances we all face today, we have the choice over our emotions, our creativity, our attitude and our decisions. You can ask yourself questions such as: Is getting upset giving me more options?
- Practice perspective just like you train to learn any other skill. The only difference is that this is a mental muscle. If an astronaut panics, it is likely to result in a fatality so they train panic “out”. Obstacles make us emotional. Practice talking to yourself with statements such as “No thank you. I can’t afford to panic or be afraid”.
What important things are you missing because you chose worry over ACTION, PROPER PERSPECTIVE and ALIVE TIME. Alive time is being in control which means you are learning, improving and growing.
When I look back at this time in 1 year from now I will be saying: I made the best use of this unique time and that won’t include "binging" on Netflix!
What will you be saying in 1 year from now about how you spent your time during the pandemic?
Have a great weekend,
Karl
“Where the head goes, the body follows. Perception precedes action. Right action follows right perspective” Ryan Holiday
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Marcus Aurelius