On the Open Road: Shifting Perspectives Through the Journey

Life fully loved
19 February 2023

On the Open Road: Shifting Perspectives Through the Journey

While gassing up on a road trip, my friends and I found ourselves unable to pay due to an AWOL gas station attendant. Here’s what happened next.

Isn’t it amazing how perception shapes reality? Each of us at that gas station came to a different conclusion based on what we thought. Sounds obvious and yet the truth is, thoughts are often unconsciously determined by experiences. For example, I thought he quit due to the Great Resignation based on my experience in HR (we did this road trip last year. You can click here for the full account).

The way you see things matters. That’s why it’s important to develop awareness around your thoughts. Not to start judging them but to become consciously aware of your inner chatter. Once I saw that I unconsciously chose my perspective based on my experiences, I could see how easy it is to make assumptions that everyone sees things the same way as I do.

Seeing multiple perspectives besides your default (largely unconscious) viewpoint starts with you. You can learn new perspectives from listening to other people, as I’ve discussed before. You can also develop them by choosing to see things differently – thinking new thoughts or revising the ones you have.

Change your thoughts (perceptions) and you will change your emotions and, ultimately, your actions. Despite what you may think, your emotions drive your actions, not the other way around. You make decisions primarily with your emotions then support it with rationale, revised thought processes, and justifications afterward.

Remember the sticky note the gas attendant left on the door? Think of your own sticky note. What thought or perception do you hold dear that you want to “quit?”

Identify your default thought, find other perspectives on it, pinpoint the emotion behind it, and then carry out the action. Quick tip: if you feel good, you’re on the right track because emotions drive your actions. If you don’t feel good, return to step 1.

You have to be open minded in order to grow. The coaching that Laura gave me opened my eyes to what and how I was doing things and allowed me to see the bigger picture. I am not done yet but I already see the changes in my everyday life.
MM

I think coaching is a great way to help you clear your mind when you get stuck with overwhelming situations or when stepping into changes in your life.
MO

Coaching is life changing. It pushes you outside your comfort zone and challenges your perspectives. It is highly motivating and the exercises and techniques used are both fun and informative. I think the main benefits of coaching are to see yourself, others and the world more clearly. I think coaching is valuable to anyone regardless of where you are in your life or career.
LE

I honestly never thought I’d need a coach. I thought coaching was for CEOs and industry VIPs. I didn’t think it was for the “little guys” (i.e. me). Now, I’m of the belief that everyone – yes, EVERYONE – needs a coach. Coaching has really benefitted me and I’m so grateful to have had that time with Laura. It’s changed my life!
VB

Laura is very patient. She took the time to understand what was causing me to be stuck where I am today and help me build a better vision so I can continue to grow.
MM

I think Laura’s coaching was what I had been waiting for. Laura was so approachable, kind, and open. Her willingness to help and support made a difference for me. I found in her coaching new strategies, ideas, and perspectives that I could incorporate into my goals and objectives that I didn’t see before.
MO

Laura is an incredibly intuitive, positive and caring coach. Her techniques helped me recognize both my strengths and areas I might want to explore as I embark on the next chapter of my career. The exercises she employed were instrumental in providing self perspective and challenging my frames of reference.
LE

Laura is a natural coach. Her probing and compassionate questions helped me learn about myself: my value system, interests, goals and strengths.
LM

Coaching sessions with Laura gave me new perspectives on how to process specific feelings and situations in life. She showed me how to sit with my emotions, acknowledge them, and then use visualization strategies to move through them. I now feel more confident and in control of how I choose to walk through life.
CP

From the beginning, Laura put me at ease, creating a safe, open space for me to talk and share freely without fear of judgement. I loved the variety of approaches she used depending on the topic we were working on and it was fun being able to try out things I wouldn’t have considered before! With Laura’s coaching, I substantially grew my confidence in the workplace, overcame fears, dealt with issues I’d been carrying around for many years and, most importantly, learned to value myself and define a path forward into the future.
AG

Laura’s coaching was a breath of fresh air and EXACTLY what I needed at that point of my life. I didn’t realize how impactful coaching was going to be, but by the end of the sessions together, I left feeling refreshed, inspired and genuinely curious about what my future held for me. Because of Laura and her coaching, I believe I became a better person – someone who is more open-minded, someone with a clearer focus, and someone who is willing to explore opportunities and possibilities far more than I ever did before.
VB

I engaged Laura for coaching as I took on an expanded role leading an asset management company in Canada. As a female, I knew I would be a role model and had high expectations of myself. I was feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

In our first few coaching sessions we worked through exercises that allowed me to reflect on my purpose, leadership style and what mattered most to me. I continue to be grounded by the clarity I achieve in my coaching sessions – allowing me to be resilient and confident when challenges came my way.
OS