What’s Your Perspective?

I thought I would deviate a bit from my usual blog content and share a couple “random thoughts”, so bear with me:)

Tonight, I went to Subway for dinner with my three princesses (daughters age 6,4,2). The “sandwich artist” behind the till was one of the regular guys that serves us. So I asked him “How are things going”? He replied: “I’m hanging in there.”

Hanging in there? HANGING IN THERE? Couldn’t he set the bar a little higher for his day? I mean you could be really having a crappy day and still be “hanging in there”? No, this post is not going to turn into a “Seinfeld episode”!

His comment got me thinking about the whole topic of “Perspective”. I am a firm believer that the lens by which you view your life directly affects your behavior and actions. Some people look at their life and work through dark glasses - they tend to see “the glass as half empty” and have a negative perspective in most circumstances. So, the big question is… Does this type of perspective impact their goals, dreams, business pursuits etc….? I believe it does.

Do you think it is possible to grow a successful business with a perpetually “gloomy” perspective? While I am sure there are exceptions to every rule, I think that negative people will not have the “staying power” when the entrepreneurial storms hit. They will crumble and not see the positives or the potential in their current set of circumstances.

One of my former Employers always used to sign his emails as CEO (Chief Executive Optimist) and let me tell you, this guy is one of the most positive people I know. His Internet business has been through many storms and his “sticktuitiveness” and positive outlook has always led to a successful outcome. So how much of his success is dependent on his positive attitude - I think a lot actually!

So, stop for a second and do a “Perspective Check”. How are you currently viewing your life and work? If you are going through a particularly difficult time in your VA business, what is your current perspective? As mentioned in a previous post, “Adversity is a natural part of the Entrepreneur’s Journey.” It is inevitable and you can’t control it at times. But you can control your “perspective” and how you will respond to your current situation.

Over the last year, my wife has endured a very difficult medical condition. We have certainly had our share of “dark days”, but we both recognize the importance of keeping a positive and hopeful perspective in the midst of great adversity.

I have been reading a fascinating autobiographical book called “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. This is story of an acclaimed Computer Science Professor who was diagnosed last year with Pancreatic Cancer and was given a few months to live. This book is ENTIRELY about “PERSPECTIVE”! Randy is an upbeat, positive, humorous fellow that is not letting his terminal illness shape his behavior or actions. The Last Lecture is about achieving your dreams, overcoming your obstacles and making the most of every single minute you have as you never know when it could be your last one! Well, Randy has already lived longer than doctors predicted and you wonder how much of this has to do with the ultra positive perspective he has on his situation and life in general. If you were to ask Randy how he was doing, I would highly doubt he would respond with “Hanging in There”! Randy says “You cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand”.

Now, if you have a spare hour, I would highly recommend watching his last lecture on YouTube - it will impact you and quite possibly change your perspective on your own work and life. Enjoy!