Your big grey area of Opportunity
Do you attempt to solve challenges that come up by looking at the issue from a strictly black or white perspective?
Our natural inclination to tackle challenges is usually with an all or nothing mentality: ignore the challenge and hope it somehow miraculously resolves itself or throw every possible idea, option or inspiration at the challenge hoping to solve it that way. These tactics seldom work. Why? Because our Authentic Self is not black or white; she is a blend of different colors, textures, patterns and passions. Because of this, black and white answers aren’t solutions.
In both of my workshops and with clients, I introduce the concept of “the big grey area of opportunity”. This perspective offers that there are endless options to solve challenges, if we look beyond the obvious i.e. black and white. Just like your basic brown suit is traditionally formal, it can look casual if you skip the standard white button-down and opt for a fitted tee or scoop neck instead while mixing in fun jewelry or a bright scarf.
Work issues are a common challenge that can be solved more easily if we use the perspective of a big grey area of opportunity. Let’s look at an example. Imagine that you are sick to death of your current job and find yourself passively aggressively dealing with co-workers and superiors while at work. You are looking for another job but can’t quite get past the fact that your current job, while utterly misery-inducing, does offer you good pay, excellent benefits and some other perks that you take advantage of. What options are open to you by using the perspective of the big grey area of opportunity? 
Would you consider a new career which offers less pay but an opportunity to travel or the option to work from home? What about changing industries entirely? The skills that you have acquired are more transferable than you might think. Remember that these pearls are coming from someone who went from dealing with corporate clients who bought racing and driving programs for their clients or employees to supporting sales reps who sold skill-building training programs to companies nationwide! It can be done.
Consider what challenge is facing you right now and ask yourself what is possible if you look beyond the obvious answers and into the big grey area of opportunity.