According to a rather widespread idea, changing one's perspectives means changing the window through which one observes the world. To learn how to grow throughout life, it is important to recognize other points of view and learn to reflect from them. Although it is not easy to change the most deeply rooted ideas, it is possible to change your way of seeing things and the surrounding world by considering your personal perspective and that of others in their entirety.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Evaluating Your Perspectives
Step 1. Reflect on your points of view and how they affect you
Think about the various points of view from which you observe reality and how they shape your personality and your world. By taking them into consideration, you will be able to make a change with a proactive approach.
- List them on a sheet of paper so you can see them and reflect more easily. If necessary, you can also take notes or write a few brief observations.
- During this phase, be honest with yourself so that you don't have a hard time making the necessary changes.
- You also need to think about how your points of view shape your personality. Broadly speaking, do they make you a negative person or make you take less risk?
- For example, if you believe that a woman cannot be a head of state or a CEO, admit it and consider how such a view can affect and shape every aspect of your life. Perhaps you will find that this belief leads you to have an opinion that invalidates the female figure.
Step 2. Consider where your views come from
Each person develops a vision of life based on certain factors, such as family, education and experiences lived in the course of their existence. It is possible to reformulate it by considering everything that affects it.
- Life experiences, including illness, travel, work, religion, politics, television, and reading, shape one's views. By broadening your horizons with other experiences you can begin to change your perspective and change your view of the surrounding world.
- The people you surround yourself with, including family and friends, influence your perception of yourself and reality. By simply hanging out with certain individuals or certain types of people, you may impair your ability to change your perspective.
- Education and learning significantly affect the way we see things. If you do not enrich your cultural background, there is a risk that your vision of the world will become asphyxiated.
Step 3. Imagine what your life would be like by changing your perspective
Once you have given yourself the opportunity to reflect on your points of view and the factors that shape them, imagine what your existence could be like by changing your view of things. In this way you will not only be able to understand the benefits that come from a change of perspective, but also finally get closer to this transformation.
- Try doing a simple handstand or lying on a lawn looking up at the sky. In both cases you will notice that the reality in front of you is not linear and that there are many different points of view from which to observe the world.
- Ask yourself original and profound questions about the world and consider "what would it be like if …", to understand to what extent, by changing your perspective, you could change yourself and everything around you.
- For example, think about what might happen if you believe a woman's role in running a state or business is valid. Would you have a better relationship with your colleagues and other people in general? Would you make your career easier or would you live your life better?
Part 2 of 3: Consider the Perspective of Others
Step 1. Recognize that everyone has their own points of view
Each person has personal points of view and opinions, based on their experiences. By recognizing that others have a different view from yours, you will be able to consider your points of view in their entirety and you will begin to change them.
- You cannot begin to change your point of view if you consider and admit only your version of the truth as unique and right.
- For example, if you believe that a woman cannot be a head of state or a CEO, realize that many people do not share that view. If not, countries like Norway or Great Britain or companies like Yahoo! they wouldn't put women in charge.
Step 2. Talk to someone else trying to get to know their points of view and what characterizes them
If you know someone who has a different outlook than yours, ask if you can talk and have a friendly exchange of views. Such a conversation can allow you to understand how others see things and provide you with context or additional information that will allow you to change your point of view.
- Ask your interlocutor a series of questions about how he sees reality and what leads him to think in a certain way.
- Ask him if he has ever changed his mind or even how his point of view has developed over time.
Step 3. Be respectful and don't argue
Always have respect for the opinions of others and don't get to argue or argue about the way people see things. Respect and balance will allow you to take into consideration how others think and understand to what extent their perspective interpenetrates with yours. You may find that, despite different points of view, your interlocutor can offer you some good ideas that can show you the world from another perspective.
Remember that any conversation can teach you something, even if it supports your point of view. Arguing is counterproductive and can prevent you from growing
Part 3 of 3: Reframing Your Points of View
Step 1. Recognize that you can choose which angle to view from
When you decide to change the way you see things, realize that only you can choose your point of view and how to develop it. As a result, you will be able to do whatever it takes to modify it.
- Knowing that you have the opportunity to shape your point of view can be an awareness that offers a lot of freedom and ease in the path of life.
- For example, if you tend to be a negative person, you can actively intervene by seeing the positive side of things and letting go of negative aspects or influences in order to improve your outlook on life.
Step 2. Find out
To reformulate your worldview you need to keep up to date, taking into account a wide variety of sources and opinions. Without knowledge you cannot grow or improve, so by enriching your cultural background you will be able to reformulate your points of view more effectively.
Try using a variety of sources to keep yourself informed. By taking courses, reading, traveling or even just talking to another person you will be able to gain new information that will help you change the way you see things
Step 3. Take a course or participate in a continuing education activity
Don't stop studying and preparing throughout your life by taking classes, attending conferences, or taking degrees to perfect your professional training. By improving your intellectual preparation you will be able to connect with different points of view - and change yours.
- Try attending courses, conferences, seminars, or other continuing education programs, in person or online. Currently, many institutions publish online courses or lectures aimed at the general public.
- The preparation and skills gained through practical experience can also be very valuable in changing your point of view.
Step 4. Consult a wide range of media and information sources
By broadening your readings, you will be able to approach different opinions and points of view. This way you will be able to reframe your personal perspectives.
- Be sure to check out different types of media, including newspapers, magazines, websites, and books.
- Make sure that the sources you have accessed belong to various orientations. For example, if you read an article written by a politician or published by a progressive newspaper, also consult something from a more conservative leader or source of information, in order to evaluate a problem or topic from both perspectives..
Step 5. Travel as often as possible
Take the opportunity to see everything you can through your travels. They will show you that reality, even if it is simply a city close to yours, is characterized by thousands of different facets and points of view. These experiences will help you change the way you see things.
Traveling abroad is the best way to get in touch with other types of perspectives, but traveling within your own country is also a great way to have this kind of experience. For example, if you live in Northern Italy, you may be surprised to know that the lifestyle in the South is very different and such awareness could help change your point of view on how to lead your life
Step 6. Politically Committed
Politics is a field that in itself leads people to express different points of view. By militating in a political party or movement you can approach various points of view and change your own.
Consider attending different political currents, in order to get in touch with as many points of view and opinions as possible
Step 7. Volunteer or be helpful
A simple gesture of kindness and support towards others can work wonders on your attitude. Not only will it allow you to put things in perspective, but it can also distract you from problems and, in general, make you feel more positive.
- Consider volunteering at a hospital or food bank. By realizing that you are healthy and have the means to provide for your livelihood, you will see your life from another perspective. This way you will also have the opportunity to decide to remove the negativity present in your life.
- Even by helping friends and family, you have the opportunity to change the way you see things, because the fact that someone else is well thanks to your intervention will allow you to lift your spirits.
- Giving and receiving love and support improves the way people see life.
Step 8. Embrace the new information and grab the point of view of others
As you begin to develop a new way of seeing things, try to assimilate everything that comes from your studies, your experiences and conversations with others. You will not be able to develop or change your outlook on life without these precious elements.
- Focus on the big picture and focus, so that you develop a well-rounded view as you assimilate new information.
- Realize that you don't have to adhere completely to the perspective of others. You can select your favorite aspects of their thinking based on what you have learned in the course of your research.
Step 9. Express and implement your new way of seeing things
At this point you will be ready to articulate your new vision of life in every respect and to put it into practice. By doing so, you will not only be able to strengthen it, but you will also be able to make others aware of your changes.
- Put your new perspective into practice so that you can introduce positive changes in your life.
- Write on a sheet of paper how your new way of seeing things is characterized, so that you have a tangible memory.
- There are various ways to take a change of perspective and implement it: from conversations to trying to transform the world around you.
- For example, if you've changed your mind about whether or not a woman is capable of being a head of state or CEO, try supporting this new view in your speeches.
- If you decide to improve the way you see life, you can immediately put this change into practice by interacting more positively with others - and with yourself as well.
