This week I said goodbye to SmallWorlds.com; a venture I have invested more of my time in than any other single project in my life. It’s a timely moment to reflect on where I am in my life now, and how my priorities have changed in the last 10 years.

I think it is natural that as you age you increasingly recognise your finiteness; "Yip. One day I am going to die". This brings a certain focus to one’s perspective. 10 years ago I was satisfied with expressing & testing myself as an entrepreneur. Now however I find that’s not enough and I’ve realised that I can no longer put off the sense that I have something more important to do.

This brings me to what I see. We are all born with a unique perspective on life. I think part of the payment for being alive is sharing this perspective with others. Believing in our perceptions enough to risk telling others what it is we see and why we think that’s important. Asking ourselves “What need do I see in the world that people aren’t paying enough of the right attention to”? I call this a Personally Significant Perspective, or PSP.

The author Steven Covey would characterise this as a question that is important, but not urgent. The trouble with these questions is that it is too easy to put them off till later, and to prioritise more urgent matters in the meantime. But when we all do this we end up sacrificing what is significant for what is immediately satisfying. As I look around the world I reckon this strategy is not working for people. The rise in chronic physical illnesses like diabetes or obesity, or the drop in mental well-being due to stress, anxiety or depression are some things I’m noticing. What do you see?

We need to stop procrastinating with sharing our PSP. Imagine that the perspective of each person is a piece of a puzzle that represents the capacity for us all to flourish in our lives, and on our own terms. Only when all of the pieces are shared and then assembled, can the full puzzle be unlocked. And we don't need to feel like we have the complete solution. Its simply begins with noticing what you care about that doesn't seem to be paid enough attention by others. Of course this is only the beginning of what John Hagel calls a "narrative", but believing in and owning the value of your perspective is the best possible start.

I’m curious about what you are noticing and what your next step is. What are you struggling with and how can we support one another to bring our PSPs out into the world. If you have any thoughts on this I would love to hear from you.

PS. I’d like to share my own PSP with you in the next few days and am currently working on telling that story.