Perspective Shift

[jippykid]

I have made many changes for the better over the last few years, but there are still a number of areas in my life that I would like to see positive change in.

Here's my issue: My most dramatic improvements have come on the heels of new knowledge. For example, about three years ago, I began to lose some weight. I lost it initially because of a health scare, but after the shock of hearing how my body was deteriorating wore off, I ended up heading back to my old habits of eating anything I wanted. The real change for me came when I did some research about what food does for your body. As a result of this learning, I was able to shift my perspective on food, and I made changes in my eating and exercise habits that have become a permanent fixture for me. I always tell people that when I really got serious about my health, it was as if a switch went off in my head. I made a 180 degree change. I know that sounds cliche, but that's exactly what it feels like.

My problem is that I'm having a hard time locating the switch for some other areas I'd like to improve in. As I'm writing this, the obvious answer is that I should be doing more learning about the areas I'd like to improve in. However, I feel as though I already have the information, but I haven't been able to "put it perspective".

Has anyone had a breakthrough that they've felt was simply a matter of looking at an issue from a new perspective?

[Sam988]

One good example i came with now in perspective change is learning.

In school, i hated all those subjects that we were teached, found them all too boring; consequently, i never did very well on school, only did the basic to not have to repeat an year.


But then my perspective changed, i started to see those things as a challenge to my intellect, to see if i was smart enough to learn whatever i tried to learn, no matter how hard it sounded. From that point on, i started enjoying more to learn new stuff, even if i wasn't very interested in it in the first place.

Now on university i'm doing much better than in school and every semester that passes i'm doing better, and one of my goals is to do better at each semester, because i'm developing better and better study/learning abilities/techniques, refining them as time/experience goes by.

That doesn't mean i spend all my time studying, instead i'm actually spending less and less time studying, because the more developed my studying techniques are, the less time i have to spend studying to understand the subjects.

I'm on a point now that to pass to the next semester i don't have to throw virtually any effort, my effort is in getting top grades. And since i'm on university, it was supposed to be harder, but it's much easier now for me to do well academically. This situation is so much different from when i was in school.


So that's a perspective change i guess, from seing learning as something boring to seing it as something challenging, and that improved my academic performance A LOT.

[geekchic9]

Originally Posted by jippykid

Has anyone had a breakthrough that they've felt was simply a matter of looking at an issue from a new perspective?

I don't know if this helps at all, but my "Belief" Paraliminal has been incredibly helpful for me to emotionally change perspectives. It has two parts: Part A challenges an old, unhelpful belief, and Part B helps you implant a new, better belief.

For example, I used to have this belief that because of my various imperfections and life circumstances, I was a failure. I wanted to believe that I was a confident, successful person. After the Paraliminal was over, I tested myself by thinking the thought, "I am a failure." When I thought that, many thoughts started to rush in about things I had achieved despite difficult times, as well as the fact that I am learning, growing and doing the best I can. No failure can say that. The Paraliminal really gave me a change in perspective emotionally, and I feel much better about it.

Disclaimer: I do not have anything to do with Learning Strategies Corporation or the production of Paraliminals. I am just a happy customer.

[stephencp]

The effective use of constant affirmations can go a long way to changing your perspective. Check out
The Pacific Institute- Home Page

Stephen

The Internet Largest Free Give Away Ever - ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[jippykid]

Originally Posted by Sam988

So that's a perspective change i guess, from seing learning as something boring to seing it as something challenging, and that improved my academic performance A LOT.

I had a similar shift in this area as well. Unfortunately, mine didn't come until a few years after I had graduated from college. I wish I could go back even farther, to high school, and be excited about learning like I am now.

I guess what I'm still at a loss for is how I accelerate those perspective changes in other areas as well. Maybe I just need a good dose of discipline to jump start my development in other areas? For instance, there was a period of about 4 days in which I took the time to meditate each day. I got a glimpse, during those four days, of what my life might be like if I made meditation a priority. I learned that when I meditate, I feel more at peace, and my realationships with others improve. Unfortunately, I didn't learn this lesson well enough, and my attempts of late have been sporadic at best. Do I just need a hard kick in the ass to get going? I know what I need to do, why am I not doing it?

[Kaspian]

After a few weeks when I consistently worked outside in the yard, wrote 3 pages every morning, and played horn daily, I felt happier and more balanced. Then, for a several busy days, I was less consistent, and I noticed a clear difference in my sense of well-being. I like being happy, and since it feels good to get things done and make progress, that is motivation enough.