The way you see the world has an enormous impact on your existence. Learn how to evaluate your unique point-of-view and the effect it has on how you live your life.
Your perspective (the way you see the world) shapes your reality. Whether you realize it or not, your unique point-of-view influences your life and the world around you. But how (and why?) does this happen? To gain a greater understanding of this concept, it’s important to examine the things that shape perspective itself.
Experience
Your past is possibly the most important part of what creates your perspective; the things you experience, your upbringing, your personal story. The past allows your brain to create expectations. Thus, your perspective of the world around you adapts to these ideas. You begin to see the world as you expect it to be, not as it really is.
Fear/Doubts
Most people don’t notice that fears and doubts change their perspective. They creep up without warning and keep you chained to the present. These emotions are paralyzing. They keep you contained because change only leads to more fear and more doubt. When you allow fear and doubt to dominate your perspective, you have truly narrowed your reality. You beging to see the world as you fear it is, not as it really is.
Desires
Your hopes and dreams influence your perspective because they persuade you to see things as you want them to be, not as they really are. This happens quite often with people; you want to love someone so you don’t see their flaws. Allowing your hopes to change your perspective is a dangerous path and one that is destined for disappointment.
Environment
The physical environment you live in can have a dramatic impact on how you see the world. Cultural differences , religion, politics and routine all influence your perspective. Your day-to-day surroundings create the vast majority of your physical “reality”. Your world is fundamentally shaped by your environment. Thus, your point of view is shifted.
Knowledge
The things you know, along with the things you don’t know, will inevitably influence your view of the world. Generally speaking, education widens perspective because it opens the mind to different ways of thinking. Knowledge broadens awareness. And awareness is the foundation of perspective. Limited knowledge will restrain your view. Again, you will see things as you understand them to be, however limited that understanding is. The more you know, the more you understand. However, as you learn more you also begin to question more. You realize that there is so much you don’t know. Therefore, your perspective shifts to one of curiosity and wonder.
All of these things shape your point-of-view in one way or another. As a human being, you are unique and your understanding of the world is like no one else’s. Your actions, your beliefs, and your reality are a culmination of everything discussed here. Take some time to evaluate how your experience, fears and doubts, desires, environment and knowledge have all made you the unique person you are today.
For more personal and professional articles such as this, check out Balancing Work and Life and 3 Golden Rules for Multi-Tasking.
