Saturday morning started like any other - which is to say, with a plan.

A lovely plan, in fact. My wife was taking the kids out to support their football coach, who was (as you do) running two marathons in two days to raise money for one of his students - a young lad with cancer, facing a mountain no one should have to climb.

The kids were excited. They planned to run the first couple of miles with him. There’d be t-shirts with his face on. Community spirit. That sort of thing.

And me? I was staying at home.

I had my day mapped out beautifully. Silence. Coffee. A list of tasks that I could actually tick off without interruption - and if you're also a parent running a business, you’ll know how precious that is!

Then… plot twist.

“My throat’s really sore,” said my wife, with the sad look of someone who’s weighing up the relative merits of Lemsip & rest vs. seeing friends.

“I don’t think I should go.”

My reaction: disappointment.

I didn’t want to go. My mind did that thing it sometimes does - you know, when it thinks emotionally, but disguises it as logic?

“I’ll have to stand in the cold.”

“I’ll end up making awkward small talk with parents I don’t really know.”

“I won’t get anything done.”

Essentially, I sulked. (Quietly - outwardly I was very understanding, obviously.)

But over the next half hour, something shifted.

As I helped the kids get ready and spent time around their buzz and excitement, I started to think… hang on.

This is a good thing.

I don’t usually get to be part of moments like this.

I miss out on a lot of their little adventures because of work.

And this one? It’s not just some random outing. This is about showing up for someone doing something extraordinary. About community. And courage. It will be great to be a part of this.

Also, let’s face it - the cold air might do me good.

The facts about the situation hadn’t changed. But the way I looked at it had.

That’s the power of perspective.

Of course, the irony is that - just as I was about to step out the door - my wife decided she was feeling up to it after all. She wanted to see her friends. The colour had returned to her cheeks. And suddenly, I was off the hook.

But by that point, I was disappointed again.

Because I’d gone from dreading the idea to actually wanting to go.

And that got me thinking about how often we do this in business - and in life.

We tell ourselves stories. All the time.

“This task is boring.”

“This client is difficult.”

“This campaign isn’t working.”

“This sales call is going to be awkward.”

But what if we’re just looking at it the wrong way?

What if, instead of dreading the admin, we see it as an opportunity to bring order to chaos?

What if, instead of resenting a quiet month, we treat it as a chance to sharpen our offer, refresh our brand, or (dare I say it) rest?

What if we could flick a switch in our brains and see things from another angle?

Because here’s the thing: perspective shapes your experience. And experience shapes your energy. And energy… well, that determines everything.

Even in business.

And nowhere is perspective more powerful than in sales.

I know, I know. Us Brits don’t like selling.

When I was a door-to-door bookseller in America (yep, really), a friend back home once said, “I’d hate that job. You just get people to buy stuff that they don’t want.”

That stung. I was actually really offended. (That emotional response again!)

Because that was 100% NOT what I did.

As far as I was concerned, I was helping families with their kids’ education.

You see, we sold educational books.

When I met with families, I listened. I asked questions. I learned what they needed. Then I showed them how our books could help with that.

I was providing a valuable service and helping people.

At least, that was my perspective.

And it was a much more helpful perspective – one that made me more successful because it gave my work purpose and tied in with my values. 

Because nothing gives me greater joy than helping other people. (Sorry, I know that’s cheesy, but it’s true! And I suspect it’s probably true for you too).

Same facts: Different perspective.... Different reality.

So here’s my challenge to you:

Next time you find yourself grumbling about a change of plan…

Next time you’re avoiding a task, or dreading a meeting, or doubting your offer…

Stop.

Breathe.

And choose a new lens.

Because the story you’re telling yourself might not be the only one. Or even the most helpful one.

And a small shift in perspective?

Well… it might just change your day. Or your business. Or your life.

Till next time,

Tim

About The Author

Tim Freed is the Co-Founder of both Toddle About and Book That In.

Having built and managed a 50-strong team of door-to-door sales people in his early 20s, he joined the corporate world and built a multi-million pound recruitment team. Then Tim turned to entrepreneurship - founding Toddle About in 2010, which is now a thriving franchise business. He went on to launch Book That In in 2017 with his business partner, Alec Wadey, which is now one of the fastest growing online booking systems in the UK.

Tim is always learning and striving to improve and loves nothing more than sharing his hard-won knowledge and experience in sales, marketing, leadership and entrepreneurship with other business owners to help them on their own journeys.