You often hear people talk about switching their proverbial ‘hats’ when they need to adjust their perspective and deal with something from a different frame of reference. The ‘hat’ changing makes sense in theory to allow you to deal with each issue based on its’ individual merits and concerns.

The professor that’s dealing with a troubled student takes off his instructor ‘hat’ and exchanges it for his mentor ‘hat’. All the while, the administrator, dean, president dealing with financial difficulties must oftentimes exchange their dream ‘hat’ for their accountant ‘hat’. The reason and basis for these schema rotating ‘hats’ makes it easier to organize thoughts and create logical patterns that increase efficiency.

While this ‘hat’ switching idea is no doubt functional and efficient, perhaps it’s also true that these ‘hats’ have the potential to limit us. It’s possible that these ‘hats’ are a convention that’s become a confining habit; one that limits how dynamic each of us truly are.

At commencement ceremonies, graduates throw off their unflattering mortar board ‘hats’ with youthful glee as a statement that they are now free from the confines of formal education. They are free to chase their dreams and pursue their goals free of a defining, confining, unattractive ‘hat’.

There is a hugely beautiful chance that the men and women without ‘hats’, those that refuse to exist within the prescribed confines and stereotypes of their role, are those who truly affect change and influence generations. Perhaps, it’s those that say I will be the mentor, the professor, the accountant, the friend all at once, perhaps they are the future that we unknowingly hope for.

Those that honor tradition, but are not beholden to it; those that respect all people without reservation; those that see promise where it is not visible to the naked eye and those who refuse to accept mediocrity. Perhaps, it’s men and women like this without hat or adornment that we unknowingly look over and discount their value only to realize that they are the treasure and promise that’s been in our path all along.

Give it a try and take off your hat and maybe you’ll see the world in a whole new light.