Managing Change - Testing Reality, Going Deeper

In my last post I talked about testing reality. 

Now let's chat about something pretty intriguing: Can we really choose our reality?

I know this sounds a bit out there, but bear with me.

Of course, there are limits to what we can choose -- many so-called "choices" are only discernable after-the-fact, an un-useful "what-if" or worse -- "if-only.". If my company is downsizing and I’ve lost my job, I can’t just “choose” a reality where that didn’t happen. But what if I look at it differently?

Think about this: there’s more than one way to look at any situation. By shifting perspective, we can unlock new possibilities, perhaps even shifting how we perceive reality.

Here’s a little exercise to try: think through “what’s happening” from three different perspectives—yours, a friend’s, and a stranger’s or casual observer’s.

• Your perspective: This is your immediate reaction. Maybe you’re feeling stressed and worried about the future.
• A friend’s perspective: Imagine what a good friend might say. They might remind you of your skills and resilience, and suggest that this could be an opportunity for something new and maybe ever better.
• A stranger’s perspective: Think about what someone who doesn’t know you might see. They might see “what’s happening” without the emotions and history you have, offering a more neutral take.

This exercise can broaden your perspective and give you more useful information about your situation. It’s like looking at a painting from different angles—each view can reveal something new.

From this broader vantage point, you can better answer the crucial question: “How can I move forward from here?” Instead of feeling stuck, you might see new opportunities or different paths to explore.

So, next time you’re faced with a tough situation, try looking at it from these three angles. It might just open up some new possibilities you hadn’t considered!