Tag Archives: perspective

“Take a moment to find my hidden heart. I hope it inspires you to follow yours.”

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“Take a moment to find my hidden heart. I hope it inspires you to follow yours.”

—Ali Luke, UK Writing Coach and Author

Image from Unsplash by Alex Shute

Today’s quote is from Ali Luke — my former writing coach — and is a gentle reminder that we all carry something sacred within us — dreams, passions, and truths waiting quietly to be seen.

Sometimes life grows noisy, pulling our attention away from what matters most. But when we pause, we reconnect with the heart’s quiet voice that guides us back to meaning.

Seeing someone else live authentically can spark something in us, too — it’s permission to listen more closely, to trust what we feel, and follow courage over fear. Your hidden heart isn’t lost — it’s simply waiting.

When you start to honor it, you’ll inspire others to honor theirs.

EXERCISE:

Recall someone you admire who follows their heart boldly. What do they do that inspires you?

Name at least one small action you can and will take this week that aligns with your own hidden heart.

Surround yourself with people who are thoughtful in ways you are not

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“Surround yourself with people who are thoughtful in ways you are not, because they see what you can’t.”

—Shane Parrish, Founder of Farnum Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Cédric Dhaenens

Surround yourself with people who see differently than you do. Their perspective is not a challenge to your vision — it’s a gift.

Where you see one path, they may notice hidden turns.

Where you sense limitations, they may point to possibilities.

Thoughtful people who think unlike you stretch your mind, spark fresh ideas, and protect you from blind spots. They expand the edges of your world.

It’s tempting to prefer echoes of your own thinking, but true growth comes from the harmony of diverse voices.

The wisest leaders are those who invite variety, listen deeply, and let others’ unique insights sharpen their own.

When we seek out thoughtful differences we’ll always see further than we could alone.

EXERCISE:

Identify one area of your life where you’d benefit from fresh thinking. Actively seek out someone who approaches that area differently. Invite and “try on” their input and note how their angle challenges your assumptions.

Exploring the big picture of being alive

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Exploring the big picture of being alive can snap us out of our worries to be in awe of our very existence.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ryan Hutton

Life can feel consumed by endless worries — small setbacks, looming deadline, nagging doubts. Yet when we pause to explore the big picture of simply being alive, perspective shifts.

The fact that we exist at all, with beating hearts and breath in our lungs, is extraordinary. Out of billions of possible outcomes, here we are — thinking, feeling, creating, connecting.

Stepping back to recognize this wonder doesn’t erase challenges, but it softens their grip. Problems shrink when measured against the vastness of life’s gifts.

Awe reminds us that existence itself is not guaranteed, but a fragile and beautiful chance. In that realization anxiety transforms into gratitude, and the ordinary reveals itself as something truly remarkable.

EXERCISE:

Spend a few minutes outside tonight or early tomorrow morning. Look at the stars in the sky.

Consider the vastness of the universe and appreciate your place in it.

Job shadowing is a good idea at any age

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“Job shadowing is a good idea at any age.”

—Gabe Anderson– Musician

Image from Unsplash by Yk K

Job shadowing isn’t just for students or those starting out — it’s a powerful tool at any age.

Whether you’re 25, 45, or 65, stepping into someone else’s workday can open your eyes to new perspectives, spark fresh ideas, and even reignite passion for your own career.

For those considering a midlife career shift, shadowing helps you explore options without a major leap.

For seasoned professionals, it’s a chance to stay curious, expand knowledge, and connect with the next generation.

And for retirees, it offers meaningful engagement and continued learning. Curiosity has no age limit — shadowing reminds us we can all grow, adapt, and stay inspired at any stage of life.

EXERCISE:

Who would you like to shadow for a day?

How might these experiences spark new ideas and remind you that curiosity and personal growth have no expiration date?

“It’s amazing how often the act of aligning on the problem untangles the messiest of knots.”

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“It’s amazing how often the act of aligning on the problem untangles the messiest of knots.”

—Rohan Rajiv, author of A Learning a Day Blog

Image from Unsplash by Parker Sturdivant

When we take the time to clearly define and agree on the core issue, confusion dissipates, and solutions become visible.

Too often, teams or individuals get tangled in assumptions, distractions, or conflicting agendas. By aligning perspectives on the real problem, we create a shared focus that simplifies complexity and opens the path forward.

As a coach, I’ve seen this alignment unlock breakthroughs, enabling people to move past obstacles with clarity and confidence.

Untangling isn’t about forcing a solution — it’s about understanding the knot so well that the right moves become obvious.

EXERCISE:

How often do you and your teams focus on solutions before you fully clarify and align on the actual problem?

How would taking this foundational step put you on the road to far better outcomes in your personal and professional communities?

A worthy goal can be intimate

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“A worthy goal can be intimate. Choose the scale that suits you and feel your way into the journey.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Ronnie Overgoor

How do you feel about goal setting?

Do you have multi-page documents on hand with spreadsheets, timelines, and milestones? Or do you avoid such details altogether?

Many people see goals from a “go big or go home” perspective. If it doesn’t make a big enough dent in the universe, it’s not worthwhile.

Although Nobel prizes are nice, it is far more empowering for the rest of us to set our sights on more modest and more personally meaningful targets.

Sometimes even having a general direction for our journeys and putting forth our best efforts is more than enough.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the worthy goals you have been reluctant to pursue?

How can you realize the satisfaction of pursuing your intimate desires without having to tell the whole world?

Where is it time to zoom in on the details or zoom out on the big picture

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Where is it time to zoom in on the details or zoom out on the big picture? What type of focus is required in your current situation?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Aaron Burden

Last month, many of us in the United States had the opportunity to see the solar eclipse. A family we know traveled 1500 miles from their home to see this event in San Antonio with their two young boys.

Road trips like these are an integral part of their home-schooling efforts and they took plenty of side trips along the way to zoom in and out to capture many other sights and wonders.

EXERCISE:

Where and how would your life improve with greater focus on more of the details of your world?

How might zooming out to a bigger, broader view of things offer you greater perspective and insight about the world?

The way you look at things is the most powerful force shaping your life

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“The way you look at things is the most powerful force shaping your life.”

—John O’ Donohue, late Irish poet, author, Hegelian philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Bradley Pisney

Today’s quote is an excellent reminder to develop and cultivate our self-awareness and mindfulness abilities.

When we choose to adopt constructive perspectives and attitudes, we can harness our powers of perception to create a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

If and when we look at things from a negative or closed mindset, we limit our abilities to navigate life’s challenges and complexities.

EXERCISE:

How can and will you exercise and develop your powers of perception to shape your life and your world for the better?

When it comes to living a meaningful life, whose opinion and feedback truly matters

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When it comes to living a meaningful life, whose opinion and feedback truly matters?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by David Travis

How is your life going? How engaged, fulfilled and at home in your own skin do you feel?

These questions are pondered by many of us from time to time or perhaps all the time.

As conscious sentient beings, it’s our nature to contemplate our place in the world and consider why we’re here and if we are making the most of our journey.

On more than a few occasions we get confused, feel thwarted in our efforts and can’t find our way.

At times like these, we can all benefit from some guidance and direction from outside sources.

EXERCISE:

Who are the people that offer you the most useful perspective and feedback on the things that truly matter?

How can and will you take full advantage of these supportive resources during the holiday season and heading into the new year?

“What is a learning that has changed your perspective or how you operate?”

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“What is a learning that has changed your perspective or how you operate?”

—Rohan Rajiv, author of A Learning a Day blog

Image from Unsplash by Ruffa Jane Reyes

One lesson I’ve learned over the years is to play with a contrarian perspective on things. This often entails doing things in new and different ways, and at times when other folks don’t or won’t.

This has come in handy when it comes to shopping.

This past weekend it wasn’t possible to beat the crowds with my usual early morning shopping adventure.

I found myself faced with a packed parking lot. Instead of circling and circling looking for those elusive open spots I used another learning of looking for people who were walking to their vehicles so I could take their spot once they’d left.

EXERCISE:

Please reply to this post with a learning that has changed your perspective or how you operate in life.