3 Ways to Change Your Perspective About Anything
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1. Decide what you WANT your perspective to be.
When faced with a less than perfect situation your perspective is everything. You may get stuck in doubt, fear and negativity and focus on what you don’t like about the circumstances. You are only able to change your perspective when you have something to aim for. This is a time to pause, ask yourself how to adjust your view to work in favor of your desired outcome. Acceptance is key here. Wasting time trying to change things out of your control will only derail you from a positive path. When you know what you want your perspective to be you will be well on your way to changing it.
2. Take an action that someone with your new perspective would take.
Let’s say you want to have a positive outlook on exercise. Someone who sees the benefits of exercise and likes it does it!!
Studies have shown that exercise can improve your overall mood within 15 minutes, making it one of the healthiest antidotes out there for dealing with frustration and changing your perspective. Aside from it getting your endorphins pumping (which automatically makes you have a brighter outlook on things) it can also serve as a sort of meditation that gives your mind a moment to pause, relax, and regroup. This can help you re-approach the situation with clear thoughts and a much better attitude. So the next time you notice your perspective about a situation being on the lower end, bust out that exercise mat and sweat it out!
3. Speak the words someone with your new perspective would speak.
The power of words is absolutely remarkable, especially when you’re in need of changing your perspective. Whether you believe in the law of attraction or the science behind shifting mindsets, affirmations can help you feel happier and more confident about a situation. Let’s say that you were up for a promotion but it was given to someone else instead. Your initial perspective could be that you’re bitter and discouraged from the situation. Rather than sulking in that mindset, you could say an affirmation to yourself such as “I will receive this promotion in due time. I am worthy and will use this time to grow and work towards my goals.” Speak it into the mirror, looking yourself in the eyes, strong body language, and a big smile. While you may feel silly and it may not actually change your circumstances it will certainly change the way you feel about them.
I have faced my own ‘perspective’ challenges. Our son Alec was diagnosed ‘on the spectrum’ at the age of 11. Not what we had planned for, but how did I want to perceive this? I wanted to look at it as a gift. So I immediately told Alec that he had a special gift that gave him abilities beyond what most people will understand. And along with that special gift was a journey. There were going to be times we’d experience new things that we didn’t plan on, but it was going to be an experience for us to work together as a team, to have open conversations, to find the ways that we could connect and really turn ‘the challenge’ into a gift.
I understand that some of the facts will remain facts. When you recognize that you only have control over certain aspects, you release the need to control and gain the perspective you desire! Just like the Serenity Prayer.