Broadening Your Perspective: The Key to a More Resilient Life

Our perspective shapes the way we see and interact with the world. It’s a crucial aspect of our lives that can either hold us back or propel us forward. In this article, we’ll explore 10 practical ways to broaden your perspective and live a more resilient life.

According to Dr. Rachel Hanley-Dafoe, author of Calm within the Storm, ‘Our perspective is a constellation of attitudes, mindsets, and emotions that form a lens through which we see the world.’ It grows in relation to our lived experiences, and developing and practicing an integrated perspective helps us manage challenges, mitigate the impact of stressors, and open the door to learning and growth.

1. Get Curious

Perspective grows every time we are exposed to different ideas, people, and experiences. Reading books written by people whose lives look different from yours, listening to podcasts that challenge you, and asking someone, ‘Tell me more,’ and listening to understand rather than just waiting to respond, can all help broaden your perspective.

For example, if you’re someone who’s always been interested in art, try reading a book on physics or listening to a podcast on economics. This will not only challenge your perspective but also help you develop a deeper understanding of the world.

2. Zoom In, Zoom Out

When something feels overwhelming, zoom in first. Name what’s happening and feel what you’re feeling. Then zoom out. Ask yourself, ‘Will this matter in a week?’ ‘In a year?’ ‘How does this fit into the bigger story of my life?’ Distress narrows our focus until everything feels urgent. Perspective helps us respond to what is important versus simply reacting to what feels loud.

For instance, if you’re stuck in traffic, instead of getting frustrated, take a deep breath and zoom out. Ask yourself, ‘Will this traffic jam matter in a week?’ ‘In a year?’ ‘How does it fit into the bigger story of my life?’ This will help you gain a broader perspective and respond to the situation more calmly.

3. Notice the Stories You Are Telling Yourself

The way we narrate our own lives becomes the perspective we live inside of. ‘I’m a bad sleeper’ is a very different sentence than ‘I’m someone who can sleep well under the right conditions.’ The facts of the night might be identical. The story you carry forward is not.

For example, instead of telling yourself, ‘I’ll never be able to sleep through the night,’ try reframing it as, ‘I’m someone who can sleep well under the right conditions.’ This will help you develop a more positive and resilient perspective.

4. Collect Evidence

Our brains naturally collect evidence that confirms what we already believe. If we believe we’re failing, we’ll notice every mistake. If we believe we’re making progress, we’ll start noticing growth. When you catch yourself telling a difficult story, try asking yourself, ‘What evidence supports this?’ and ‘What evidence challenges it?’ Perspective grows when we consider the whole picture, not just the pieces our brain highlights first.

For instance, if you’re someone who’s always been critical of yourself, try collecting evidence of your successes. Write down all the times you’ve accomplished something, no matter how small it may seem. This will help you develop a more balanced perspective and notice the growth you’ve made.

5. Change Your Physical View

Sometimes changing your physical perspective helps to change your mental one. Get outside, stand under the big sky, walk beside water, look out over a landscape. There is something about being reminded of how vast the world is that helps us right-size many of our worries.

For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your work, take a break and go for a walk outside. Take a deep breath and look up at the sky. This will help you gain a broader perspective and feel more connected to the world around you.

6. Borrow Someone Else’s Perspective

Sometimes we’re standing too close to the problem. Ask a trusted friend, ‘What am I missing?’ or ‘Help me think this through.’ The people who love us can often see possibilities that we’ve temporarily lost sight of ourselves.

For instance, if you’re struggling with a problem and can’t seem to find a solution, ask a trusted friend or family member for their perspective. They may see something that you’ve missed, and this can help you gain a broader perspective and find a solution.

7. Practice the Power of ‘Yet’

The attitude we bring to our learning and challenges is extremely important. For example, ‘I don’t know how to do this’ and ‘I don’t know how to do this yet’ send our brain two very different messages. ‘Yet’ leaves room for growth, learning, and hope.

For instance, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a task, try reframing it as, ‘I don’t know how to do this yet.’ This will help you develop a more positive and resilient perspective and leave room for growth and learning.

8. Recognize Dual Truths

Our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative, and in the midst of life’s storms, that makes perspective genuinely hard to hold onto. Perspective expands when we stop believing we have to choose between two competing truths. For example, you can be disappointed and proud of how hard you tried. You can be grieving and grateful. You can feel uncertain and hopeful.

For instance, if you’re feeling disappointed by a situation, try recognizing that you can still be proud of how hard you tried. This will help you develop a more balanced perspective and feel more hopeful about the future.

9. Try ‘Unfortunately… Fortunately…’

This has become a family favourite of ours. It allows us to hold two truths at the same time, without pretending the hard part is not hard. Unfortunately, I’m stuck in traffic. Fortunately, I get more time to listen to my favourite podcast. Unfortunately, the presentation didn’t go the way I’d hoped. Fortunately, I know exactly what I’ll do differently next time.

For example, if you’re stuck in traffic, try saying to yourself, ‘Unfortunately, I’m stuck in traffic. Fortunately, I get more time to listen to my favourite podcast.’ This will help you develop a more balanced perspective and find the silver lining in a difficult situation.

10. Build a Gratitude Practice

Our first thoughts of the day are the most powerful thoughts for the day. As soon as you are conscious or awake, say ‘Thank you.’ Waking up to a new day is something to be grateful for. Then take a moment to hold space for what you have and what you get to do today.

For instance, try starting your day by writing down three things you’re grateful for. This can help you develop a more positive and resilient perspective and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.