THE THREE PERCEPTIVE POSITIONS: HOW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR EXPERIENCE

 Dear readers and friends,                                                                    Articolo Originale       

Today we will introduce a very interesting concept: Perceptual positions, an excellent technique that can be very useful for shifting the perceptual filters of a person's experience. This unique process allows us to experience three separate sensory perspectives of an event, from that of our self to another and an objective observer.

As in every Life Coaching context we are examining, there are only small explanations and many questions. Finding these answers is our task, discovering ourselves to then improve ourselves and loving ourselves for who we are is the ultimate goal. As has already been said in several articles: 

“A question at the right time can change your life or at least the vision you have of it.”

Once again I ask you not to substitute an expert for this article, if you need help there are the structures and personnel suitable for this purpose, contact them.

Perceptual poses are an excellent technique and can be very useful in shifting the perceptual filters of a person's experience. This unique process allows us to experience three separate sensory perspectives of an event, from that of our self to another and an objective observer.

Perceptual positions can be used to help an individual step back from their limited perspective to distance themselves from their emotional interpretation of a given situation.

We've all had an experience that bothered or frustrated us long after the event occurred. Attached to this negative experience are feelings and, perhaps, some relevant images and sounds. The same process also occurs for extremely positive experiences; the inner feelings, sights and sounds of holidays, special events, etc., can stay with a person long after the event. When you are fully in an experience like this, it's called "first position."

• Have you ever found yourself walking, talking, and using body posture and gestures similar to someone else's?
• Almost like I've become this very person?
• Have you ever learned a new skill by acting as if you were the person you know embodies the skills you are practicing?

In your mind, you have become this other person. Young children learn the same way: by imitating those around them. Actors also put themselves in another individual's shoes when playing a role. When you take on another person's perspective in this way, it is called "second position."

• Have you ever mentally withdrawn from interaction and feel like you can see and hear yourself in those you are interacting with?
• Almost like you're watching events unfold on a movie screen and you're a character on the screen?

When you step back and are able to observe yourself as a person outside of yourself, this is called "third position".

This is a very powerful technique for improving the quality of our relationships: at home, socially or even at work. It allows us to understand another person's point of view - from their "perspective" - ​​which then allows you to use this insight to improve/adapt how you communicate with them.

You can use the Perceptual Positions Technique to:

• Develop a better understanding of others.
• Think more creatively and be more flexible.
• Give yourself the opportunity to step back and consider the issues objectively.
• Better understand the impact of your verbal and nonverbal behavior on others — and the impact of their behavior on you.
• Review an interaction you had with another person or prepare for an important conversation.

Self-reflection exercise: perceptual positions

Take some time to complete the following exercise to better understand perceptual repositioning. Consider a situation involving someone else who has caused you frustration or a problem in your life.

Step 1. First position:

First, consider this situation from your point of view. Imagine yourself witnessing the situation with your own eyes, looking at this other person. What do you see? What do you hear? Is this your own voice, your own self-talk? What is this other person telling you? How do you behave and react? How do you feel?

Well, by answering the questions you will receive information about the situation from your point of view. After gathering all the information from location 1, exit that location.

Step 2. Second position:

Now become the other person. Put yourself in this other person's shoes and experience the situation completely from their point of view. What do they feel? Describe this situation as if you were the other person. Once you have gathered all the information from the other person's perspective, now step out of that position.

Step 3. Third position:

This is where you re-imagine the scene and gather information from an objective, observer position. Imagine yourself as a neutral third party looking down on the situation. Gather information and describe what the situation is like according to the neutral third-party observer. What does it look like when you consider things from this perspective?

Step 4 . 

Now consider what you learned in Positions 2 and 3 and bring these new learnings back to Position 1 and Position 2. How has your perspective changed in light of your new learnings?

This is a great (and very simple) technique to help yourself become more aware of perspectives different from your own. Try it on someone (or try it on yourself) and see!