The undeniable truth is that changing perspective is like seeing the world through another window. In everyday life, recognizing and considering different perspectives is an important aspect of self-development. While changing an established perspective is not easy, you can change it by considering your perspective on yourself and others using a holistic approach.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Evaluating Your Perspective
Step 1. Think about your perspective and how it has shaped your life
Think about the different perspectives that have shaped you and your life. This thinking is the first step to proactive change.
- Write down your perspective on paper to make it easier to see and think about. Provide notes or comments on each perspective if needed.
- Write down your perspective honestly to make it easier to change.
- Think about how that perspective shapes your personality. Are you formed as a negative person or less willing to take risks?
- For example, if you believe that women are incapable of being heads of state or managing directors, admit it honestly and then think about how that perspective affects and shapes every aspect of your life. It may come to light that this perspective has a negative effect on the way you view women.
Step 2. Think about the source from your perspective
Perspectives are formed from the time you are born and are influenced by various factors, for example: family, education, and life experiences. You can reformulate an existing perspective by considering influential things.
- Things you've been through, for example: illness, travel, work, religion, politics, television viewing habits and reading books show your perspective. Start changing your perspective on these things and the life around you by broadening your horizons through the experiences of others.
- The people around you, including family and friends, influence your perspective on yourself and life. You can't change perspective if you limit yourself to a certain person or type of people.
- Education and learning have a huge impact on your perspective. Perspective will not develop if you close yourself off from new things.
Step 3. Visualize what your life would be like if your perspective changed
After thinking about your current perspective and the things that shape it, imagine the life you will live after your perspective changes. In addition to helping you see the benefits, this method also motivates you to make changes immediately.
- Start making changes by looking up at the sky from lying on the grass. You will realize that something is different after looking at life in a different way and there is still another perspective to see things in everyday life.
- Ask yourself creative, insightful questions about other people and then think about “what ifs” so you see that a change of perspective can change you and the way you see other people.
- For example, think about what would happen if you believed that a woman was capable of becoming a head of state or managing director. Will your relationships with coworkers and others improve? Can this perspective support your own career or life?
Part 2 of 3: Considering Other People's Perspectives
Step 1. Acknowledge that other people have different perspectives
Everyone has their own perspective and opinion which is shaped by their experience. Recognizing that other people have different perspectives helps you consider your own views holistically and begin to change them.
- You can't make changes until you consider and acknowledge that what you think is right isn't the only true view.
- For example, if you believe that women cannot be heads of state or president directors, know that many people have different views. If everyone agrees with you, surely there are no female heads of state in this world.
Step 2. Invite someone to discuss their perspective and what makes up that perspective
If you know someone who has a different perspective, have a chat and exchange opinions. These conversations allow you to understand the other person's point of view and become a source of information that can change your own perspective.
- Ask as much as you can about the perspectives he believes in and what shaped them.
- Ask if he has changed and developed his perspective over time.
Step 3. Respect others and don't argue
Respect the other person's perspective and don't argue or contradict his opinion. That way, you have a chance to think about his point of view and see if it works for you. Even if there are disagreements, you can use his good ideas to change your own perspective.
Remember that you can learn from every conversation, even if it doesn't align with your views. Fighting is not a useful way to hinder your development
Part 3 of 3: Redefining Your Perspective
Step 1. Acknowledge that it is you who shape your perspective
In order to change perspective, you must acknowledge that you are the one who shaped it and you are also the one who determines how the perspective that you believe in is formed. This will enable you to take the steps needed to make changes.
- Knowing that you have the ability to shape perspective is liberating and gives you a sense of comfort to move on with life.
- For example, if you tend to think negatively, try to focus on only positive things. Ignore the negative and free yourself from negative influences so that you can change your perspective to a positive one.
Step 2. Work on developing yourself
One way to reformulate perspective is to consider various sources of information and opinions to develop oneself. You can't grow or develop if you don't want to learn and broadening your knowledge is an effective way to reformulate perspective.
There are various sources for self-education, for example by taking a course, reading a book, going on a trip, or simply chatting with other people can be a source of information to change perspective
Step 3. Take a course or join an ongoing learning activity
Continue education and training by taking courses, lectures, or getting professional training. Developing intellectual skills exposes you to different perspectives and will change your own perspective.
- Take courses, lectures, seminars, or other educational programs in the classroom or over the internet. Many universities open online classes or lectures to the public.
- Training and self-development based on practical experience are very useful for changing perspectives.
Step 4. Read a variety of media and sources of information
Reading various publications exposes you to different opinions and perspectives. This method helps you reformulate your own perspective.
- Make sure you read information from various media, for example: newspapers, magazines, websites, and books.
- Choose readings that come from a variety of perspectives. For example, if you read comments from liberal politicians or from new sources of information, compare them to comments from conservative politicians or from other sources to find out different perspectives on the issues or arguments they present.
Step 5. Travel as often as possible
Take the opportunity to travel the world by traveling. This method shows that life around you, even if it's just outside the city, has a different face and perspective so you can change your perspective.
The best way to see a different perspective is to visit another country, although you can experience this without having to go abroad. For example, if you visit the East coast of the US, you may be surprised to learn about the different lifestyles of the US people on the West coast so that you can change your perspective on how to live
Step 6. Get involved in politics
Politics is an activity that allows people to express different perspectives. You will be exposed to different perspectives if you get involved in politics or political activities so that you can change perspectives.
Explore the possibility of participating in political activities and seek information from several parties so that you are exposed to as many perspectives and opinions as possible
Step 7. Volunteer or help others
Doing good or helping others can go a long way in your attitude. Apart from letting you see life with the right perspective, it distracts you from your problems and makes you feel more positive.
- Volunteer at a hospital or soup kitchen. Realizing that you are healthy and able to support yourself allows you to see life with the right perspective. This method also allows you to change negative views in your daily life.
- Helping friends and family members also helps you change your perspective because you are able to make other people feel good and as a result, feel good about yourself too.
- Giving and receiving love and support makes your perspective even more positive.
Step 8. Take advantage of new information and other people's perspectives
When formulating a new perspective, make sure you draw on information from education, experience, and conversations with others. You cannot develop or change perspective without this valuable information.
- Look at the big picture and focus on developing a wise view as you take advantage of the new information.
- Know that you don't have to believe what other people think. Pick and choose what you like from their perspective based on what you've learned.
Step 9. Expose and apply new perspectives
By now, you are ready to show and apply a new perspective in everyday life. In addition to enabling you to tap into a new perspective, it also signals to others that you have changed yourself.
- Embrace new perspectives through action to create positive change in your life.
- Write down new perspectives on paper to make them easier to see and remember.
- You can apply a new perspective in a variety of ways, such as through conversation or pointing out changes in your daily life.
- For example, if you have a new perspective that women can become heads of state or president directors, express this in everyday conversation.
- If you decide to apply a positive perspective to your life, make it happen immediately through positive interactions with other people and even with yourself.
