A 2-Minute Technique to Gain Perspective on Professional Challenges

Chantelle Dantu
Jun 2
2 min read

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by a work situation, only to look back months later and wonder why it seemed so all-consuming?

Today I want to share a powerful technique from depth psychology that helps put professional challenges into immediate perspective – and it takes just 2 minutes to implement.

The 3 Circles of Perspective

This simple exercise has been remarkably effective for leaders who find themselves facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles:

Draw a large circle representing your entire professional journey – past, present, and future.
Inside it, draw a second circle showing your most significant professional experience – a major achievement, a challenge you overcame, or a pivotal moment in your career.
Now draw a third circle for your current challenge in relation to the others – being
honest about its true size compared to your broader professional journey.

The visual impact is often startling. What felt enormous suddenly appears in proper proportion to your career's bigger picture.

Deepening the Practice

The technique doesn't stop with drawing the circles. Take a moment to reflect: What strengths, wisdom, or resources did you gain from your significant professional experiences? How might those same inner resources serve you in addressing today's challenge?

This simple shift from emotional reactivity to visual perspective activates your deeper wisdom and experience, helping you approach the current situation with greater clarity and confidence.

Why This Works

This technique works on multiple levels:

Creates psychological distance - Physically representing the challenge helps separate you from your emotional response to it
Activates visual processing - Engaging different parts of your brain than verbal processing alone
Provides context - Places current challenges within the broader narrative of your professional journey
Reconnects you with your resources - Reminds you of capabilities you've developed through previous experiences

Leaders report immediate relief and clarity from this exercise, particularly when navigating complex organizational challenges where perspective can easily become distorted.

Application in Professional Settings

This technique can be especially valuable when:

Facing difficult decisions with competing priorities
Managing challenging team dynamics
Navigating organizational change
Addressing setbacks or disappointments
Preparing for high-stakes presentations or negotiations

By taking just two minutes to gain perspective, you can approach these situations with a more balanced outlook and access to your full capabilities.

Your Turn

I invite you to try this exercise the next time you feel overwhelmed by a professional challenge. All you need is paper, a pen, and two minutes of quiet reflection.

What professional challenge might benefit from this perspective-taking approach? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Wishing you clarity and perspective.