WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #64: Pining for Perspective

Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.

Is there anything the Hollywood Chrises can’t do? Pratt, Pine, Hemsworth, and Evans – four Chrises who are among the most famous actors in the world.

I was pondering the idea of perspective as part of this week’s Wellness learning on Emotional Intelligence, when I came across a quote from Chris Pine: “The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.”

You’re right, Chris Pine. Learning to shift our perspective plays a big part in our emotional intelligence. Here are three tips that can help:

1. Seek different points of view. I can tell you that my wife often has a much healthier and broader view of a challenge I’m wrestling with than I do…
2. Ask more questions. Listen to what others have to say, and ask them how they see the world.
3. Spend time with new people. This can be a challenge for the introverted among us, but learning new perspectives from new people can change our own views.

Or, as Chris Pine has also said: “There are going to be good times and bad times, but lighten up.” It’s worth a try!

ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 75 companies and 7,000+ construction professionals better understand mental health. The program is free for ICBA members — see icba.ca/wellness.