Perspective

We are all familiar with the glass half full and half empty perspective on life. What causes us to believe in the positive outlook versus the negative outlook? Are we born with a gene that automatically triggers us to be an eternal optimist or pessimist? The question is, if having a positive perspective on life can reduce blood pressure, keep us young and healthy, and overall improve our life, then why do so many people view life and its challenges with such a negative outlook?

We all want to be happy, achieve our goals, and enjoy the journey. I can’t help but see the world and people around us doing the exact opposite. Totally torturing themselves with feelings of lack, sadness, and disregard for the wonderful things they have and achieved over the years. It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind, the unimportant issues or events that take place which affect our overall demeanor. For example, driving down the road and getting cut off. SO WHAT?!?!?! Are you really going to allow this to effect your day, your mood, or even a second of your life? Is it worth the stress?

Losing a job is an “ego crushing” event that many people struggle with. It’s completely understandable to experience a sense of failure, get down on yourself, and inevitably feel worthless and stressed out! Especially since everyone needs a roof over their head and food to eat and without a job, both can be a challenging. However, how is feeling down on yourself helping to secure a new position? Are you more marketable and appealing to potential employers when your tail is between your legs or when your head is held high and you’re feeling on top of the world? How do you change your perspective? My suggestion is this: Make a list of all your attributes, everything you have to offer a future employer. Then look at your last position and see why you weren’t a fit for them and why, most importantly, they aren’t a fit for you! Allow that list to energize you and help you realize that they aren’t good enough for you, not the reverse.

The reality is simple, our perspective governs our life! Choosing your attitude and outlook can change how you perceive the events in your life and the ways in which solutions will arise. Life will always throw us lemons and it’s our job to make lemonade.