7 March 2025 Changing Perspective: From "I must" to "I want" for Authentic Satisfaction
What does it mean to change perspective?
Changing perspective is a practical way to achieve greater life and work satisfaction.
It means seeing a situation from a new angle. It is a way of changing how you think about something.
When you change your perspective, you can change the way you feel about a situation, and consequently change the way you act in the situation.
How to change perspective
There are many ways to change perspective. Here are a few:
- Question your thoughts: we often have automatic thoughts about a situation. These thoughts may be negative or inaccurate, so ask yourself if they are true, and based on facts or opinions.
- Look for the bright sideEven in the most difficult situations, there is always a positive side. Looking for the bright side can more easily lead you to change your perspective and ask yourself: "What can I learn from this experience?".
- Talk to someone: talking to a friend, family member or coach allows you to see a situation differently and recognise that there are multiple interpretations of the same situation.
- Do something new: doing something new takes you out of your routine and opens you up to a greater understanding of other people's points of view.
The expressions 'I must, I can, I want'.
There are many opportunities to think about one's commitments and how to do things. Words are important because they help set change in motion.
- I mustIt represents our obligations, what we feel we have to do, and often the word is accompanied by stress and a sense of heaviness.
- I canIt indicates our capabilities, what we are capable of doing. Using this word we begin to become aware of our resources and potential.
- I wantIt expresses our desires, what we choose to do. When we say 'I want' we feel more motivated and aligned with our values.
The problem is not so much what you do, but how you live it.
Story of a customer
I recently worked with a client named Barbara [pseudonym].
Barbara is a super-busy person, trapped in a vicious circle of 'I have to', with which she intersperses her talk, without even realising it. I pointed this out to her and with that our work together started.
The Transition to 'I Can
During our work together, Barbara began to explore the origins of these 'musts' and realised that many of these (her) (mental) impositions were related to fears -of not meeting expectations, of lack of confidence in herself and others, of doing things differently, and more ....
I therefore helped Barbara to recognise and question these 'musts'.
Together we explored new perspectives i.e. considered different information, less obvious and immediate, and ended up turning obligations into conscious choices about everything under his direct control.
In the course of time, Barbara learnt to recognise her resources, her abilities and to make room for her real desires, and so 'I must' was replaced by 'I can' and even 'I want'.
The Achievement of 'I Want
Barbara began to ask herself what she really wanted. She thus discovered that she had the power to choose how to use her time and energy, and to distinguish when to say no and delegate tasks.
Her commitments were not affected by this change of pace, rather the contrary.
Barbara became more aware, creative and productive.
She has discovered that it is possible for her to take off the autopilot and choose, as well as to trust herself.
Conclusions: Changing perspective with awareness and satisfaction
Changing perspective requires courage and commitment, but it can lead to a more conscious and fulfilling life.
There are endless possibilities for doing things, although it may not seem so at first, and, it must be said, the change of perspective and pace does not happen at the snap of a finger.
Changing perspective is a skill that is honed over time.
The more you practise it, the more resilient, creative and capable you become of handling frustrations and setbacks.
It is an act of empowerment, a way of freeing oneself from preconceptions and limiting beliefs.
If you are ready to move from 'I have to' to 'I want to', contact me for a free coaching session.
I will help you discover the power of perspective change and achieve your life and work goals with authenticity and satisfaction.
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