A Change In Perspective
Yesterday I shared an insight I had with a friend. He’s a fellow business owner. When I told him about the epiphany of shifting my perspective from one of obtaining clients versus building partnerships he was awestruck. He immediately got the concept. He affirmed or confirmed that he agreed with my newly found perspective. He also shared he’d been doing something along the same lines. He also shared his process of migrating to more of the model I was setting up and moving from a traditional model to one that’s a bit more untraditional.
As I’m typing this another thought occurred. What rule is it that says I can’t do both? I can’t recall any. I can do both. I can build it out in a more traditional manner and cultivate a partnership model as well. In the traditional business terms we say joint ventures. In the joint venture there’s still a partnership. It creates a mutually beneficial relationship between two parties. Successful joint ventures or partnerships usually enhance the capabilities of each involved and deliver more than either expected.
The conversation with another business owner and like minded person yesterday ws far different than it was with another person. Another person I’d run my concept past found several reasons it wouldn’t work, why they wouldn’t participate, and my personal flaws, some true, as a reason for declining participation. Just like yesterday, I listened intently, repeated what they said to make sure I understood them correctly, and thanked them for their input.
The reason for both stories is the same - some will agree and see your vision and others will not. Some will think of ways you can and will succeed and others will not. There is value in both perspectives. The ones telling you things will work can act as confirmation for your current thoughts or plan of action. The ones disagreeing can act as sounding boards offering you perspectives you haven’t encountered.
Both perspectives can provide value to you. The people that tell you that you're a genius or brilliant or so talented or of the many compliments they rain down on you have value. The people that tell you it’s a stupid idea, it’s too risky, it’ll never work, or it’s foolhardy provide value as well. The question to ask, or a variation of the question to ask would be, “What makes you think about it that way?” If you shut up and listen, they will tell you. Then you listen intently, repeat back what they said to make sure you heard them correctly, and thank them for their perspective.
One of the Four Agreements is “Don’t Take Things Personally.” It’s less challenging with positives than negatives, but it’s true in either situation. A slight change in perspective is all that’s needed. I can be grateful someone took the time to share their insights. Whether I agree or disagree is irrelevant, the thing to appreciate is their time and their insight.
Today, Thursday, June 20, 2024, I am grateful that:
People are willing to share their perspectives. It’s geat to have those willing to invest their time and insights on someone else.
I have people in my circle I can share my perspective with. They may agree of have different views than m
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