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 March 2009
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Maintain Perspective During Troubled Times
Today's headline: "AIG loses $62 billion ... in one quarter!" Read your 401(K) statement -- more bad news. Even the Harvard Square shop selling "Life is Good" T-shirts is closing. Is the sky really falling?
Recently, a friend shared a letter from a freshman coed to her parents.
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Dear Mom and Dad,
Freshman year is going well. I really like my courses.
I know we haven't talked for a while and you are not used to getting snail mail. I thought I would try it out. How cool!
Dad, I remember you told me that getting along with my roommate freshman year is very important. Well, Francine and I couldn't get along. You know how I feel about hard drugs and her friends were kinda creepy. So, I decided to find a new roommate.
Luckily, I met someone and we really hit it off. I think you will really like Bill. His off-campus apartment is a short walk from campus so things worked out.
Bill is a great guy. Although he is starting to gray, he actually looks much younger than his age. But, then again, I don't know too many 34 year old guys.
I am sorry we could not invite you to the wedding. It was sort of a spur of the moment thing. We only invited his rock band members and a few roadies.
I have told Bill all about both you. We think you will be great grandparents. The baby is due in April.
Bill's daughter Lauren is very excited to have someone to baby sit. Don't worry; she is a very responsible 13 year old. Lauren and I are about the same size so we can share clothes? Isn't that sweet!
The band's drummer, Sal, is recently separated from his wife and has been staying with us. Something about a restraining order.
The four of us will be driving up in Bill's van Thanksgiving morning. We are all looking forward to seeing you for the long weekend. We have a lot to talk about.
Love ya,
Sarah
PS. None of the above is actually true. I just thought it would help put my new tattoo in perspective.
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As this fictitious letter reveals, perspective is easy to lose yet is necessary to make sense of our circumstances. Gaining perspective is changing your frame of reference to see something in a different light. We use perspective to:
· Distinguish what's important from what really matters
· See the "forest from the trees"
· Gain insight and learn
· Solve burdensome problems
My Offer to You
We all struggle with what appear to be intractable personal and business issues. For some of these, we seek second opinions or different perspectives.
If you share one of your pressing business issues, I will offer my perspective privately to you. I can't guarantee that I can solve the issue or that my perspective is better than your perspective. What I offer is a fresh look, bringing 35 years of business consulting experience.
To take me up on this offer, reply to this email with a short synopsis of the issue. I will hold all responses in strict confidence.
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From Winnie the Pooh
"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.
"So it is," said Pooh.
"And freezing."
"Is it?"
"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."
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