How Changing Your Perspective Can Help You Be More Successful in Life?
In yoga, they say that standing on your head gives you a different perspective. In Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), they say, “If what you are doing isn’t working, do something else. Do anything else.”
If you are stuck in a rut and searching for change, it requires that you do something different. You can’t expect anything to change doing the same things that you have always done. Sorry for overstating the obvious, but it’s true!
So what stops people from making a change? Most of the time it is their perspective on this “desired change.” I like to use the example of losing weight because most people can relate to it. When somebody says, “I want to lose 50 pounds, but it is so hard because I love eating.”
Notice how some of the words used in this statement can be sabotaging this person’s success. Let me break it down for you and explain further:
- “I want to lose 50 pounds.” This is an elephant of a statement. There is no start or end to this goal. Just typing this sentence is exhausting and seems unrealistic. Instead, consider changing this statement to something like this:
I want to fit into this dress by May. I will do this by exercising 3 times a week and reducing 200 calories per day from my daily intake.
Now, this statement has broken up this huge goal into small digestible pieces that are realistic and manageable.
- The word “but,” (did you see where I used it earlier?). Anytime somebody says something using the word “but,” they erase anything they said previously. For instance:
If somebody were to say to you, “I don’t mean to be rude, but you smell bad.” The word “but” totally erases the statement, “I don’t mean to be rude.” It is like an uncommitted statement, leaving you thinking, “ Wow, that was rude!”
When we are making changes in our lives, the word “but” can be a roadblock. In the examples provided above, the word “but” made the statements negative, uncertain, and maybe untrue.
Be confident in the way that you speak to yourself when making desirable changes. Pick a side and stick to it, no if, buts, or coconuts.
- “I love eating.” I said this one time to my acupuncturist and he suggested that I use the word “enjoy” instead. Love is a strong word and in this case it can lead to unhealthy overeating habits. The same goes for cupcakes, alcohol, and Netflix. Everything is good in moderation. The point is to listen to how you speak to yourself.
Final Happy Thoughts
Your success depends on your perspective. If you want to be successful at changing anything in your life, learn to listen to yourself as you go through the motions of change.
If you catch yourself being negative, then stand on your head or do something different. There are a million ways to accomplish any goal. If you are just using one way, maybe you can spice it up by attempting three other ways.
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