Recently, after a long day of meetings and travel, I arrived at the airport only to find out my flight was canceled, forcing me to extend my stay by a couple of days. Typically, I would have been frustrated and upset, but this time, I remembered a lesson from renowned photographer and speaker, Dewitt Jones.
In his fantastic TEDx Talk, Dewitt shares that how we perceive our circumstances can dramatically alter our experience of them. By changing our lens, we can shift from frustration to opportunity, despair to hope.
Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t control about my travel schedule, I decided to find opportunity in the moment. It allowed me to view the extended stay as a gift of time. Time to explore a new city, catch up on reading, and reflect on my goals. This shift in perspective transformed a frustrating and upsetting experience into an enriching one.
The next time things don’t go as planned for you, ask yourself these three questions:
Is this in my control? Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t. In my situation, I couldn’t control the flight delays, but I could control how I used the extra time. When faced with unexpected changes, ask yourself, “What can I influence in this situation?” This will help you to reduce feelings of helplessness and increase a sense of agency.
What is the collateral beauty? As Dewitt suggests, changing your lens can uncover the hidden benefits in any situation. Ask yourself, “What opportunities does this challenge present?” (p.s. If you haven’t watched Will Smith’s movie Collateral Beauty, do so now.)
What can I be grateful for? How can you practice gratitude to alter your emotional state? Focus on what you’re thankful for in the moment. This practice can help you stay grounded and positive, even in tough situations.
These questions can transform challenging situations into opportunities for growth and learning. Changing your lens helps you manage your emotions and enhances your leadership by modeling resilience and adaptability for those around you.
