Doing a Full 180 – Unlocking Solutions by Flipping Your Perspective
By: Shelly Joines, CMP
We’ve all been there – staring at a problem, convinced there’s only one logical solution, only to be frustrated when things don’t go as planned. But what if the answer isn’t in pushing harder, but in stepping back and flipping our approach entirely?
Lately, I’ve realized how often a complete shift in perspective can be the key to problem-solving. Sometimes, solutions don’t present themselves until we literally turn things around. Or maybe I realized this after listening to Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now too much:
“Did a full one-eighty, crazy – Thinking ’bout the way I was”
When the Obvious Solution Isn’t the Best One
Event Logistics & Meeting Space
- While planning a conference, we struggled with using hotel meeting space across two floors.
- The largest room seemed the obvious choice for the exhibit hall—until we realized its pillars and layout made it less functional.
- A teammate suggested re-evaluating the space. We discovered the second-largest room, free of obstructions, was actually more efficient.
- By flipping our approach—placing educational sessions on one floor and meals/exhibits on another—we created a seamless experience instead of forcing a flawed plan.
Framing a Cross-Stitch
- I completed a cross-stitch without considering how I’d frame it—rookie mistake!
- The cloth’s dimensions seemed to require a vertical frame, but no frame fit properly based on how I originally cut the cloth.
- I nearly gave up until I rotated the frame 90 degrees—and suddenly, it fit perfectly.
- That small shift in perspective changed everything, allowing me to mat, frame, and hang it as intended.
The Power of “What If?” Thinking
These experiences reminded me that when things aren’t working, the best solution might not be the most obvious. Instead of doubling down on a failing approach, we should ask: What happens if we flip this?
History’s greatest innovations often stem from this thinking:
- Post-it Notes: 3M scientist Spencer Silver set out to create a super-strong adhesive. Instead, he made a weak one. His colleague, Art Fry, saw an opportunity—a reusable, low-tack adhesive for temporary notes. A “failed” invention became a globally essential product.
Practical Strategies for Flipping Your Perspective
How can we train ourselves to embrace unexpected solutions? Here are a few strategies:
- Reverse the Roles – Consider the problem from another perspective. How would an attendee, vendor or contractor experience it differently than you do?
- Rearrange the Order – If a process isn’t working, try switching the steps. We often follow routines simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.”
- Try the Opposite – When facing a roadblock, ask: What is the complete opposite of what I’m doing? It might not be the right answer—but it could spark an idea you wouldn’t have considered.
Next time you hit a wall—whether in work or life—try a full 180. Sometimes, the best move isn’t the one right in front of you; it’s the one hiding behind your own expectations. By embracing a mindset that welcomes unexpected solutions, you might just find a better way forward.
Shelly Joines, CMP, is a Client Account Administrator at Partners. Since 2008 she has served in several roles for multiple clients. Shelly is Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and received a BS from Florida State University in Communication. Outside of the office she enjoys volunteering with her local sorority chapter, working out, traveling and photography.
