Progress Perspective

Other people’s progress,
helps us to progress, too.

We humans can focus most of our time and energy on ourselves - our thoughts, actions, needs, wants, progress and achievements. There’s some good, and some not-so good, that can come from this inner focus.

I’ve often reflected on the occupational hazards and opportunities that come from spending much of my time considering other people’s progress.

Perspective is a powerful protector from the ‘hazards’ as we move through our own work and lives: getting us out of our own heads, limiting our need to compare, and shining a light on what others encounter along the way. Realising we are not alone in our experiences helps enormously.

The opportunities come when we remain open and curious to what we observe. We get the chance to ask questions, and to take on the learnings to be found in the answers. We get to crowdsource our courage, motivation and resilience, applying it to make progress in the change that matters to us.

Even if we don’t use the words, most of us are working to progress some form of change in our work and lives.

I’m curious, how turning your focus to other people’s progress might provide a new perspective on your own.