If you feel stuck or not getting the results you want in life, then look no further. It might be time to look at the situation through a different set of lenses. By changing your perspective, you can change your outcome, and ultimately change your life. I went to a Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul Series) seminar a few years back and he said it beautifully with this equation,
E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome)
If we have an event or situation and we respond to it in a certain way, then we get a specific outcome. The event is fixed, we can’t change it, but we can change our response to the event to get the desired outcome we want. This was the ‘ah-ha’ moment I needed. Since then, I have used this strategy consistently and my life has been dramatically enhanced.
You may ask, is it really that simple! Sure is! We have choices in every situation. A choice to respond in a negative way or a choice to respond in a positive way. When we respond positively to a situation, we are calm, at ease, relaxed and our emotions do not get triggered in a negative way leading to a more desirable outcome. But if we respond negatively, our body goes into fight or flight mode, our heart may start racing, and our emotions become heightened and subsequently we do not get the results we want.
Let’s face it, we are much more peaceful and happier when we react in a positive way. So why do we often go down the negative path instead? — A path of judgement, anger, upset, or blame. This is because these negative patterns or behaviours are deeply rooted in our neurology, running by default and on autopilot. Installing a positive pattern or behavior to replace the old negative behavior will change your outcome in a positive way. So, if you don’t like the outcome you are getting, look at your response or patterns. The most effective way that I have discovered to do this is with the following strategy:
PAUSE 🡪 ASSESS 🡪 ACT ACCORDINGLY
When you face a situation where you feel stuck or not getting the result you want, pause for a moment and assess the event. Ask yourself is there a better way or what is one thing that can move me towards my desired outcome. Then take one action towards that desired outcome. This is how you change your perspective and ultimately change your life.
Here is an example you may relate to. Joe was fired from his job. He thinks to himself, “my boss always had it out for me. He never liked me! He just needed an excuse to fire me. I am so angry at him’. Joe goes home and wallows in is sorrows, getting angrier and more upset with his boss. He spends days moping on the couch, is demotivated to find another job and sits in his victim role for weeks”.
But what if Joe took a positive perspective instead. Rather than thinking negatively, instead he thinks to himself ‘I am so thrilled that I got fired from my job because now I can go after that position that I really want but I was too afraid to take the chance. This was exactly the kick in the butt that I needed to finally follow my passion and do what inspires me’. Joe changes career and becomes very successful because now he is doing exactly what he wants. In this scenario, the event is the same, but the response is different, producing very different results.
We have choice to react in anyway we desire. We can take the negative path, or we can take the positive path. Which one will you take?
Here are some ways you can change your perspective:
- Align your actions with your core values
We all have unique values that are important to us e.g., family, authenticity, learning, health, or humor. If our actions are out of alignment with our values, it creates dissonance within our body in the form of stress. When you live your life in alignment with your core values you are happier and more fulfilled. - Live your life with intention and purpose
Living each day with intention and purpose will put you in a high vibration state. Follow what is important to you and don’t be afraid to dream big. This perspective will allow you to meet your goals easily and effortlessly. We have one life to live so live your best life each and every day. - Make your health a priority
When we feel good, we naturally make better choices. Eating a high nutrient dense diet, exercising and rejuvenation are all important components of creating a healthy life. - Embrace change
Change is needed if we want to grow and do better, otherwise we stay stagnant. Learning how to embrace change is a trait worth having. Never treat things that go wrong as failures. Instead, treat them as learning opportunities and use those learnings to pivot into something more successful, is a very empowering exercise. - Become a solution seeker not a problem finder
When a problem presents itself, our natural tendency is to go down the negative path and focus on everything that is going wrong. Instead change your perspective to ‘there is a solution to every problem’ and then start seeking a solution that will work for your scenario. - Live in the present moment
The past is history and cannot be changed, so worrying about what’s happened in the past will keep you stuck. Similarly, if you live in the future, we often worry about what might happen and often times we are wrong. In both cases we create undo stress which we have no control over. The only moment we truly have is the present moment. So make it count! - Be grateful for all the wonderful things you have
Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do have. We have so much to be thankful for that we lose sight of, and we often take the things we have for granted. People who do a gratitude practice are happier and more vibrant people. - Surround yourself with positive people
When we are in the company of people who are positive, we are happier and more joyous, naturally. They say you are a function of the 6 people you spend the most time with. So make a point to spend a lot of quality time with them. These are your cheerleaders who have your best interest at heart. There are many ways to change your perspective that will improve your life. I presented 8 powerful ways above, but there are countless others.
Changing your perspective to a positive framework will bring light to your life. Embrace that perspective and watch your life transform organically.
