Fearing perspective - turning off curiosity

Women and Men.

Businesspeople and Artists.

You and Anyone Else.

Perspective is frightening and empowering all at the same time. It is often the engine which sparks insights leading to ideas and the reaction, "I hadn't thought of it that way before."

There's incredible energy behind perspective, which is why we often avoid it -- why we deliberately turn off our curiosity. The energy within another perspective induces fear.

As Godin put it over the weekend, the artist fears the mechanics of business and misses out on scaling her art; the business person misses out because she fears (unquantifiable) expression. Both sides run from perspective.

So let's ask, what specific fear is at the root of perspective:Is it the fear our idea(s) will appear less valid? That we'll reveal less opportunity, less value? (i.e. Better to be blind, and continue forward.)

Is it the fear our ideas won't be understood or appreciated?

Is it the fear we'll encounter similar, or worse -- better ideas? Do we fear being less original by engaging perspective?

I think one of the cardinal rules of being an idea person is an embrace and consolation of these fears within us. Our job requires us not to avoid but to harness the energy of perspective -- and move forward anyway.