PARADIGM SHIFT

Change Your Point of View
by Joe Gracia

You've probably heard of Stephen Covey, author of "The Seven Habits of
Highly Effective People." He uses the word paradigm a lot, which simply
means a belief, or a point of view.

Dr. Covey believes that you need to have a paradigm shift before you can
make dramatic breakthroughs in your business success -- or your life.

Here's a story I heard a few years ago that illustrates the point
perfectly.

Imagine you are in London's Heathrow Airport. While you are waiting for your
flight, you notice a kiosk selling shortbread cookies. You buy a box, put
them in your traveling bag and then you patiently search for an available
seat so you can sit down and enjoy your cookies.

Finally you find a seat next to a gentleman. You reach down into your
traveling bag and pull out your box of shortbread cookies. As you do so,
you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely. He stares as
you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick up the cookie
and bring it to your mouth.

Just then he reaches over and takes one of your cookies from the box, and
eats it! You re more than a little surprised at this. Actually, you are at a
loss for words.

Not only does he take one cookie, but he alternates with you. For every one
cookie you take, he takes one.

Now, what's your immediate impression of this guy Crazy Greedy He's got
some nerve ! Can you imagine the words you might use to describe this man
to your associates back at the office

Meanwhile, you both continue eating the cookies until there's just one
left. To your surprise, the man reaches over and takes it. But then he does
something unexpected. He breaks it in half, and gives half to you.

After he's finished with his half he gets up, and without a word, he
leaves.

You think to yourself, "Did this really happen " You are left sitting there
dumbfounded and still hungry. So you go back to the kiosk and buy another
box of cookies.

You then return to your seat and begin opening your new box of cookies when
you glance down into your traveling bag. Sitting there in your bag is your
original box of cookies -- still unopened.

Only then do you realize that when you reached down earlier, you had
reached into the other man's bag, and grabbed his box of cookies by
mistake.

Now what do you think of the man Generous Tolerant

You've just experienced a profound paradigm shift. You are seeing things
from a new point of view.

Is it time to change your point of view

Now, think of this story as it relates to your business. Perhaps you've
been doing something the same way for years, but never stopped to think
about how it could be done better. A little bit of research and
brainstorming may make you see what you are currently doing in a whole new
light.



Seeing things from a new point of view can be very enlightening.

Possibly, you've been annoyed at one particular client who may have
complained about some aspect of your service, but when you actually take
the time to understand his frustration and his point of view, you may
suddenly experience an entirely different perspective.

After all, he may have just helped you to avoid problems with future
customers.

Think outside the box. Don't settle for the status quo. Be open to
suggestions. Be open to changing your point of view.

Things may not be what they seem.

That was just too priceless!!! Been there myself. Thanks for that man.

awsome! this thing is going rightaway in my journal!