I made a note at last week's 'Thrive, not Survive' presentation in Brisbane about the importance of perspective. The ability to hold the helicopter-view of the economy - or your business - means you are less likely to be sucked into the micro demands, which ultimately are not important.

Working with clients as a business coach, I often see the benefit they gain when they learn the perspective skill. The questions they ask are more pointed, and strategic. They make progress towards their vision at a much faster rate. And the meetings with me tend to become half as long, and twice as valuable.

When was the last time you took the time to ask 'What's the big picture for my business?' or 'What do I want to create in the next 12 months?'

My kids as teachers

Children, uncluttered by many of the things we have been conditioned to believe are 'important', can so often see through the stuff and into the true meaning of a situation. This is a great story from our coach Ak Sabbagh in Perth.

Play the point, not the score

Rafael Nadal is currently the world's number one male tennis player, in part (or so this article argues) because of the unique perspective he has to every point. This is a skill, to be sure, supported by Nadal's coach who helps him keep focus on the context of every point, every rally, every opportunity until the game is won.

Stock Market Collapse? You'll have to look more closely

This is a chart tracking the Dow Jones with key numbers from 1900 - I keep a printed copy in my folder so it's available everywhere I go. The chart goes up to last week - but you have to look very closely to even see the latest dip, which I feel really puts it into a historical context. (For those interested in more chart links, please let me know.)

How the Height of your Ceiling affects your thoughts, feelings, and actions

Having run many workshops, and in the process of scheduling the encore Thrive, not Survive presentations on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, I've seen how ceiling height affects the mood of a room. Here's a study to prove it - low ceilings force participants to think small, which isn't ideal when you want to offer them perspective.

Intranet Joke of the Week

A thin, weedy-looking man sits in a bar, just staring at the drink in front of him, when a trouble-making thug comes barging in, pushes him to the side, and downs his entire beer. The man starts to cry, so the thug leans into him, laughing, and says "Hey, what's your problem? Can't afford another beer?

"It's not that," says the man, "it's just that today is the worst of my life. First, I slept in, was late to work, and got fired. When I left the office, my car had been stolen. Then I catch a cab home, only to discover my wife in bed with the gardener. Finally, I came down to this bar with the intention of putting an end to my life. And right when I'm about to do that, you show up and drink my poison."  

Until next week,

Jacob Aldridge and the Shirlaws Queensland Team

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