How do you face impending doom? Here’s a framework and vital skill set for our times.

At the start of this year the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists reset the “Doomsday Clock” at 90 seconds to midnight, meaning ominous trends continue to point towards imminent global catastrophe. Super helpful, right?

DOOM could be an acronym for “Disaster of Overwhelming Magnitude.” What we’re really talking about is debilitating, paralyzing fear.

This state of impending doom promotes self destructive behaviors: Doom scrolling. Doom spending. Doom gaming. Doom living, or aimlessness. Without hope or purpose what’s the point? Let’s fix that by understanding the difference between perception and perspective.

Perception is just sensory information. For most people, perception is fixed to what they personally see, hear, and experience, or what is forced upon them to consume. Perception is powerful and personal, and people defend theirs as the accurate version of reality. When you develop mental agility, you learn to shift from fixed or forced perception to variable perspective. Like moving this camera to capture brighter light or a better vantage point, you can shift your perception to understand others or access empowering, helpful states.

Useful perspectives include longer term views, expecting opportunity, and striving to help. Seek different and better sources of information, perhaps on topics that are new to you. Now you’re re-calibrating from your default, defensive mindset, to one of curiosity and discovery.

For perspective, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists was started in 1947 and the Doomsday Clock was set to three minutes to midnight. They’ve been trying to scare people a long time.

Giving in to fear and doom is essentially giving up. Giving up hope and your agency to improve and contribute. Don’t buy it. The next time you’re driven to the perception of doom, shift perspective to find the opportunity to learn, help, and grow. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.