5 Different Perspectives (alternaviews) We Need

There are common sentiments and beliefs that many people accept at face value.  We have heard these beliefs from the time we were young expressed by our parents, our siblings and other people around us.

There is a presumption that these sentiments always hold true regardless of the situation.  As a result, we often rely on these statements and use them as guidance and confirmation we are doing the right things and making the best decisions.

Although at first glance they seem to be easy to understand and apply, it can be helpful to take a look at them from a different perspective…

The alternaview:

Common Belief #1: This too shall pass.

alternaview: When we are going through challenges, people will often remind us that things will always improve as time goes by.  Now, while this is certainly true, we should never overlook the fact that we have a role to play in terms of our outlook and perspective.  It is not just about sitting back, letting time go by and waiting for things to pass, but rather actively choosing to do all we can to have the right perspective so that we can manage through challenges.  Once we participate in the process and get ourselves in the right frame of mind, challenges really do pass on by.

Common Belief #2: Hard work will always pay off.

alternaview: It is not just about working hard.  If you don’t work to clear away limiting beliefs and other things that are holding you back, it doesn’t matter how hard you work because those limiting beliefs will always be working against you.  In order to be successful and accomplish anything, you have to remove any thoughts from your mind that you can’t do something.  It takes more than just hard work.

Common Belief #3: If at first you don’t succeed … try, try again.

alternaview: There is nothing wrong with giving something your all and continuing to work at something, but don’t overlook lessons and pointers in the right direction that are coming your way. Perhaps there is a reason for your lack of success.  Maybe you are being pointed in a different direction.  Maybe you need to try another approach.  Always keep trying if that is what you feel you should do, but look for and learn the lessons that come to you along the way.

Common Belief #4: You can’t win them all.

alternaview: When things don’t workout as planned, we may remind ourselves that we can’t win them all.  However, the reality is that no matter what the outcome, we actually are winning in one way or another, we just need to look at the situation differently.  Even though things may not have worked out as planned, understanding that everything happens for a reason allows us to see that we actually are always benefiting, even if it is not in the way we had hoped.

Common Belief#5: No pain, no gain.

alternaview: Many people believe that in order to accomplish things, they must push themselves and make some sacrifices.  However, in order to move forward and be successful, it is not actually necessary to feel any pain. Things don’t have to be tough.  There can and should be beauty in the process and we should enjoy what we are trying to do so much that we are able to pour our passion and energy into it.  When we are able to continually do this, that really is how we gain and make progress.

Conclusion

It is important to always make sure we are buying into the right things and that we have the right outlook on life and the things we are trying to accomplish.  Just because you have always been told something, doesn’t mean you should just assume and accept it to be true. Think through things and make certain that they make sense for you.  If you look and inquire, the answers will always be there … that is the alternaview.

Do you agree with these alternaviews?  What are your thoughts on the common beliefs?  Please share your comments below.