Perspective

I walked into a bike shop in Philly the other day and while waiting for my turn to talk with Mike, the owner, I couldn’t help but hear the conversation between him and a customer.

Mike is an expert on all things bikes. Mike’s exuberance displayed the passion he has for his business as he fit the young man with a Brompton Folding Bike.

I observed that the customer did not share the same excitement about the bike that Mike displayed. As I watched the customer, he appeared to withdraw a bit, perhaps second-guessing his choice.

Mike noticed the change in body language and attitude. He hesitated just a moment and I could barely make out the next comment, “This is the bike that … and Lou Reed and Al Gore and … ride!”

Immediately, the customers trepidation dissipated, his expression brightened and he responded, “Really? Al Gore?”

Nothing had changed—just a change of perspective—the same bike and the same young man.

However, everything had changed.

From that moment on, the young man looked at the bike differently. He was having a different experience. I’m not a mind reader, but he may have been thinking, “Al Gore and me have the same bike, cool.”

This is the power of perspective. Changing perspective changes everything. The potential customer perceived the bike differently from that moment on. Sure, the owner’s passion about his business helped, but it wasn’t until he changed the customers PERSPECTIVE, that the sale occurred.

This demonstrates how the power of just a few words can present an entirely new experience. This holds true for anything in life. A chance encounter, then something occurs that changes our mood, albeit temporarily.

That is the problem. Allowing chance or the shifting sands of one’s unconscious to dictate one’s mood, actions, attitude and consciousness is a risky endeavor. Similar to lifting your hands off a steering wheel while driving, hoping the road goes your way. Being aware of your own psychology and taking responsibility is an ongoing, active event—always correcting the steering of an out of alignment car.

Instead of being a victim of circumstances or waiting for someone to say the right thing, CHOOSE your perspective. Choose your attitude and you’ll find yourself like the young man who walked out of the bike shop with a smile on his face.