Perspective

This week I’ve been reflecting on the world around us and the levels of uncertainty that bind us, but from my perspective within all challenges there are opportunities…

Now you may be thinking that it’s easier for me to sit at my computer and see opportunities while everything in your life may be going to shit… definitely not my objective here.

One of the most important skills to hone over the course of your life is to be able to keep your head and think clearly while everything is going crazy around you.  Irrespective of who you are, your background or where you’re from this is vital to coming through whatever life throws at you.

Sometimes you have a support network around you that you can bounce ideas off, or get differing points of view so as to make an informed decision, but ultimately your perspective will play an important part of your decision making and path forward.

So, what opportunities might there be you ask?  Is it time to step back and understand all of the levers that we have to move our lives in the way that we want or expect.

I see these opportunities falling into four broad categories, with no priority order – only you can define what makes sense to you as your perspective is vital to crafting your own path forward.

Firstly, the financial category

I think the current political uncertainty with tariffs and increasing prices for all commodities can help us reevaluate our personal levels of consumerism.  Do we need the latest gadget?  Or car?  Or bigger and fancier house?  Even on a week-to-week basis can I be minimizing my spend and utilize this in ways that could benefit me longer term.

Could these small savings – even $20 per week be placed in a high interest savings or investment account.  If you automate this movement of money, then you definitely won’t miss it.   This would grow over the course of the year into just over $1000.  Now imagine that money compounded over 5 – 10 years and you’d find yourself sitting on a nice little nest egg.

How about cutting back from your 3 – 5 television subscriptions to just one, two or even none?  Again, savings that are almost invisible today could be added to your savings or investments…   Perhaps these $$$ could be placed against current loans to pay them off sooner and take aways a modicum of financial stress.   All good food for thought!

Next category I’d suggest is an opportunity are practical everyday habits.  Again, you’ll need to determine the right types of habits to include too as part of your perspective, but I might suggest a couple things to consider right off the bat.

Cook more at home.  If you’re not a confident cook, then learn some basic recipe’s or create a recipe book and build it over time.  I started off on my personal cooking journey when I became a single dad by buying “How to cook everything – the basics”.  Just simple recipes that will save both on cost but also your reliance on take-out meals.  My cook book collection is now rather expansive and enjoying cooking most nights.

Another area that you may want to consider as part of getting perspective on your lifestyle is your mental and emotional health.

Let’s face it we’ve all been through an emotional rollercoaster over the past five years with the pandemic locking us down and us having to isolate ourselves from our families, and loved ones for extended periods of time.  We’ve also had to change the way we work, and even over time there are still many of us that have not transitioned back to our prior office bound jobs.

So given the amount of change we’ve been through it’s no wonder that our mental and emotional wellbeing should be on your list to reevaluate and put some good habits in place if you haven’t already done so…

I understand that everyone has had a different experience over this timeframe and that your perspective will differ, sometime significantly from those around you but if you haven’t already perhaps consider trying some of these.

Minimize your time spent on your electronic devices, whether it’s your phone, tablet or computer especially when it’s associated with time spent scrolling through social media channels.  Do yourself a favour and put them aside so you can go for a walk in nature with no devices.  Even a stroll around the neighbourhood after dinner can freshen your perspective on your day.

I’ve personally found this harder than I thought as we’re so conditioned to taking our phones with us everywhere and constantly monitoring their every vibration or beep.  Ah those dopamine fixes at play!

The other thing I’ve tried and personally enjoyed is meditation.  I’ve found by putting on some relaxing music, closing the blinds and relaxing on the carpet or yoga mat for 15 minutes a day can really be helpful in your mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

Lastly, and it fits with this last category is exercise.  I’ve committed to 20 minutes of exercise per day, for me it was best after I get up in the morning so that it starts my day off with either some yoga, callisthenics or circuit training.

Again, I realize this isn’t for everyone but perfect for me.  I suppose this week’s essay is more about choosing the type of life you want with purpose versus being pulled along by the life you’ve created.

You can always change your perspective and take back control of how you live your life.  Now’s the perfect opportunity for you to reflect and take-action – remember it’s your life and the quality of it is completely up to you!

Until next week.

Ciao!