7 Shifts in Perspective That Will MakeYou a Happier PersonLast updated on August 10, 2014 by Felix Mack

Be careful how you interpret the world: It is like that. ~Erich Heller

We all have our own way of looking at situations and judging their importance – relative tous. It is our ‘perspective’. In many ways, seeing things differently help shape ourpersonalities, and that’s good! Even so, there are some perspectives that can have a negativeeffect on our attitude and way of life.

Here are ten ways of looking at things differently. Considering a shift in perspective – from anegative to a positive point of view, goes a long way in helping us live a happier, morefulfilling life.

1. Look at the past as spilled milk. Yes, we should embrace the past, even analyze it tosome extent and learn from it. However, we should not dwell upon it. Living in the past onlyparalyzes progress. Look at is as a glass of spilled milk you can do nothing about – exceptclean it up and do things differently, should you want a change. Learn from the experiences

of the past and move forward.

2. Look at fear as a challenge. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do the thing you fear,and the death of fear is certain”. View fear as an emotion that is holding you back (fromachieving your desired goals). Once you move towards fear, it diminishes. Challenge yourselfto eliminate the fears that are holding you back from starting that business, taking thatvacation or seeing the world from a different angle. Start by asking yourself – what’s theworst that can happen?

3. Your biggest dreams CAN be accomplished. Not only will this perspective charge andmotivate your enthusiasm, it will launch you into action mode and help you build a laserfocus for achieving your goals. Start looking at your dreams as inevitable achievements thatyour will complete.

4. Time is rigid; it cannot be stretched. Many people look at time as something that can be‘made up’. This is the perspective of procrastination. You cannot stop, buy, make up, or savetime. Once it goes by, you cannot get it back. Are you using it effectively? Once you take onthis perspective, you will gain more focus and invest (or reallocate) your time to that whichmatters most to you.

5. You are responsible. With this perspective, you take charge of where you have been inlife, where you are, and where you are headed. You stop blaming others and draw your ownpath. I personally have not done any research on this, but I suspect that all successfulindividuals take responsibility for their actions.

6. When you do nothing, you accomplish nothing. Taking action often comes withconsequences, and it often means taking risks. However, a bigger risk is not taking action. Atsome point or another, many of us have had the perspective that not taking action brings noconsequences. Having the perspective that doing nothing accomplishes nothing ultimatelybrings more focus, determination, perseverance, and happiness.

7. Happiness is inside. From this perspective, you look at happiness as an emotion that

initiates within you. The willingness and ability to create your own happiness and to stopletting outside circumstances dictate your happiness help activate the law of attraction andputs you on the driver seat of your attitude!

Sometimes, we should take a step back and change our perspective.