How to open up to someone’s point of view

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Some of the toughest times we can have are when we cannot see things from a different perspective or from someone else’s point of view

We remain at a standstill, stuck and unable to move forward.  We may be frozen in a perspective of fear, unable to decide.  Or, we may be stewing in our own point of view filled with a negative emotion, for example anger, as we continue to fight with a person or situation by ourselves in our head (Not a very fun thing to do).  

The most frustrating and debilitating part is being aware that we are stuck and believing that we cannot and will not be able to move forward.  Well, the good news is that with (1) willingness and (2) committed work, getting unstuck and seeing someone else’s point of view is possible.

Here is how to do it:

  1. Feel your emotions. Before I start using any life tool, I close my eyes and feel the emotions I am experiencing. What are the feelings that keep you stuck? How does it feel to be stuck? When you know where you are emotionally, you can more clearly decide where you want to go emotionally.
  2. Consider that other perspectives may exist. There might be a different perspective from which you can look at your situation through. I know sometimes this is hard to consider. When we are in a “stuck” place, we believe with certainty that we are 100% right. How can we look at it from another’s perspective, when we believe that others are not as sensible or sane as we are? Today, I want you to consider that for any event that occurs in life, there are multiple “truths” created by the different colored lenses people see life through.
  3. Feel the different perspectives. Once you can consider that there might be different ways of looking at things (different perspectives), make a shift within yourself by entertaining these different perspectives. You do this by trying your best to embody another person’s perspective. What in the life of another person could lead them to view things the way they do? What current circumstances may help create their different perspective? When you realize that someone else’s perspective is not necessarily a personal attack on you, but a result of their unique life experiences, you will have more compassion within yourself. This newfound compassion will allow you become unstuck and see your situation differently.
  4. Ask for help. Sometimes, I am in a place where #2 and #3 do not seem to help much. When this happens, I do this: I ask that greater energy, God, The Universe, whatever name works for you, to help me see things differently. I explain with all my heart that I am willing to see things differently but that relying on my human capabilities is not working. Always, sooner than what I expect, my perspective shifts, I become unstuck, and I am better able to see someone else’s point of view.

Seeing someone else’s perspective can be difficult.  In order to do so, we have to get over our pride and our need to be right. 

Yet being able to see someone else’s perspective will allow us to have a greater understanding of the relationships in our lives.  It will allow us to have better conversations and interactions.  And ultimately, it will allow us to have greater happiness and peace. 

The next time you face this difficulty, ask yourself this question: Would you rather be right or would you rather be happy.  

I hope this article is of service to you.

Do you know someone who would benefit from learning how to see other’s point of view and perspective? Share this article with them.  As always, leave a comment or question below, I would love to hear from you.  

Judith