Perpspective = Word of the Month

How to keep an open mind in today's ever evolving world.

September seems interesting.

I started my “Word of The Month” series back in August, and you all loved it so much I decided to run it back for September. When I was planning this month’s word of the month, I looked at the calendar and realized that September starts on a Sunday, during Labor Day weekend. Pretty interesting if you ask me 👁️ Sundays are typically the slow, reflective day of the week, while the first of the month is all about getting to it and high energy. That unique and poetic overlap is a perfect introduction to September’s word of the month: Perspective.

What is perspective? Perspective is the way you see or understand something. Your perspective acts as a mirror to how you see the world. It’s like looking at the same object from different angles—what you see changes depending on where you stand.

In life, your perspective is shaped by your experiences, beliefs, and background, and it influences how you interpret the world around you. This month, I want to explore how our perspectives shape how we interact with the world, using a debate that's been on my mind: Is AI a tool or a crutch for creativity?

Tools vs. Crutches

Whenever new technology emerges, the narrative around it often swings between these two pendulums : Is it a tool that enhances our capabilities, or is it a crutch that stifles our growth?

If you perceive AI as a tool, it’s a way to boost your creativity and efficiency. Tools optimize what’s already working, making your efforts sharper and smarter. But if you perceive AI as a crutch, you might end up relying on it too much, stifling your innovation.

My Personal experience with AI

When Chat GPT first came out in 2022, I hated it. I thought it was going to be the bane of my existence. I refused to use it or make an account for it because I was one of those people who saw it as a crutch. About a year later, my perspective started to change. I shifted my mindset from “Crutch Based” to “Tool Based” and as a result, the way I interacted with it changed and vice versa. Since 2023, I’ve used AI to help make my life simpler and to make sure that I stay with the times and keep a fresh perspective on the world around me. I’ve used AI & Chat GPT for a number of things such as generating graphics for my e-books *such as the one below, creating meal plans based on my dietary needs, and rewriting my emails to help me sound a less sassy. Using technology in this way has made me realize that how we use it is more of a reflection of us than anything else.

The Mindset is more important than the Tool

When a tool like Chat GPT is is accessible to everyone, the differentiator is no longer the tool itself but how one leverages it through their unique perspective. Think about it: everyone has access to ChatGPT, but It’s how you use it and the creativity you infuse into your prompts that makes all the difference. Just like chefs need more than just ingredients to create a good meal, using AI effectively requires more than just knowing how to ask questions. It’s about how you see and utilize the tool through your own lens, experimenting with innovative ideas to extract as most value as you can

How to Adopt a Philosophical Perspective

The more open your mind is, the better you are able to adapt in this ever evolving world. Whenever you feel yourself stuck in an old way of thinking, use my DISRUPT formula to help you cultivate a new mindset.

D - Diversify Your Inputs : Expose yourself to a wide range of experiences, ideas, and cultures. Try new foods, travel to new places, try new activities. This enriches your mental with a bunch of new stimuli that can spark innovative creative thought.

I - Identify Patterns : After diversifying your inputs, look for recurring themes or concepts. Recognize the patterns that appear across different areas of interest. This helps in connecting seemingly unrelated ideas and discovering underlying connections that can lead to innovative thinking.

S - Shift Your Environment : Change your physical or mental surroundings to stimulate fresh ideas. Whether it's working in a new space, altering your daily routine, or rearranging your environment, shaking up your usual setting can break mental blocks and inspire new perspectives.

R - Reframe the Question : Approach challenges from a different angle. Instead of sticking to traditional problem-solving methods, ask questions like, “How would someone from a different industry or discipline approach this?” or “What if I looked at this problem from a futuristic viewpoint?” This rethinking can turn the lightbulb on.

U - Unlearn Assumption : Challenge your pre-established beliefs and assumptions. Question why you hold certain views and whether they are limiting your creativity. Are they rooted in opinion, fact, or personal experiences? By dismantling these mental barriers, you open yourself up to new possibilities and innovative approaches.

P - Pair the Unlikely : Combine two seemingly unrelated ideas or concepts. Mixing different fields, such as science and art, or technology and nature, can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. This combination often results in unique and impactful ideas.

T - Test and Tweak : Once you’ve developed a new perspective, experiment with it on a small scale. Seek feedback, refine your approach, and make adjustments. Testing not only validates your new viewpoint but also often leads to additional insights and improvements.

Command + Shift Your Perspective

I’m going to close with this : you don’t get extra points for being stuck in your own ways or for clinging to outdated methods. In the world of creativity, resisting tools doesn’t make you a purist; it just means you’re missing out on innovation. These tools are more than convenient—they’re powerful. And with great power comes great responsibility. So, if you want to stay relevant and keep your artistry fresh, embracing modern tools and adopting a philosophical perspective isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity.

After all, in a field that’s always evolving, it can be detrimental to your career and your dreams to stay in one place.You have a choice in how you will engage with the tools at your disposal. Will you be a Tool Practitioner? Using these resources and new perspectives to elevate your work, or will you be someone who relies on Crutches?

Thank you all so much for reading! Please let me know in the comments your thoughts on AI, and 1 way you are going to shift your perspective this month.

Until next time, stay creative, stay open minded,
DonYe