You Use Your Teeth More Than You Use a Car – How Our Role Shifts Our Perspective

The other day, I was chatting with my dental hygienist while getting my teeth cleaned. I was complaining that my teeth have cost me a lot of money. “In fact,” I whined, “I could buy a really nice car with all the money I’ve spent at the dentist.” She had no sympathy. She responded, “You use your teeth a lot more than you use a car.”

Her comment helped me shift my perspective. She had a good point! Of course, her training as a dental hygienist helped shape her thoughts. 

A few years ago I was giving a workshop on staying positive during change. I noticed a gentleman in the back was scowling and had his arms crossed. Other people were sharing how frustrated they were with all the changes when he exclaimed, "You should all just be happy to have a job. In the military, we're taught to focus on our lane and not worry about everything else." I could tell by the looks on everyone's faces they were feeling judged.

At the break, I asked the man more about his experiences in the military. He said he had served in the Marines. He said, "I was in Japan to do body-clean up after the tsunami killed 22,000 people in 2011. And I was there after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. These people don't know how lucky they are." Suddenly, my whole perspective about this guy changed. I had a peek into his life experiences. I asked if I could share his story with the rest of the class so they could gain an understanding of his comments.

I find it fascinating how our perspective influences so many aspects of our lives. We may experience the same situation, the same information, as someone else, but we will likely interpret it differently based on our past experience, our training, our childhood, our culture, our personality, etc. This can lead to all kinds of conflict, frustration, and challenges at work and at home because we like our own perspective; we’re comfortable with it, and we understand it.

This week, as you encounter a situation, a person, or an interaction; think about the perspective you bring. What role are you seeing it from? A parent? Your political party? Your religious beliefs? Your job as a caregiver, mechanic, engineer, dental hygienist, etc.? What if you were to shift roles and see it from a different perspective? How might that change your “interpretation,” your thoughts, words, and actions? How might it bring more understanding, more tolerance, and more empathy? Give it a try!

To browse past positivity tips, visit this page.

Tina Hallis, Ph.D., Positivity Catalyst, speaker, and founder of The Positive Edge, a company dedicated to helping people and organizations improve the quality of people’s work lives and the quality of company cultures.