Using the power of a positive perspective. Asking better questions and using beliefs to create a more enjoyable life.

The hypnotist Paul McKenna met Will Smith at a party, while talking Paul mentioned that he admired his work, and thinks that he is an inspiration to many people. Will looked back at Paul and stated “Thank you – thank you very much. But I have to say, it’s been easy for me – I’m black.”

After Paul enquired about his interesting response Will explained; ever since he was a boy, he had made extensive use of the power of perspective. In any situation, he looks for a truthful but highly selective way of thinking that makes him feel positive, and gets him excited about making things happen.

Now, there's definitely nothing negative about being black, it's just that Will used this as a driver. It’s all about perspective, a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something, a point of view that can be used to create.

An effective communicator can reframe anything to create a certain perspective. For example, advertisers make an enormous amount of money by framing their products in a certain way, to create an emotional need for what they offer. Politicians and religions are also experts at placing their core believes and ideas and in the best possible light, so we’re more likely to endorse them.

We make use of the power of perspective with our friends and family, especially when trying to turn a negative into a positive. A great example is this letter from a college student to her parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Apologies for taking so long to write, but my writing utensils were destroyed in the fire at my apartment. I am out of the hospital and the doctor says that I should be able to lead a normal healthy life. A handsome young man by the name of Pete saved me from the fire and kindly offered to share his apartment with me. He is very kind and polite and from a good family, so I think you’ll approve when I tell you that we got married last week. I know you’ll be even more excited when I tell you that you are going to be grandparents very soon.

Actually there wasn’t a fire, I haven’t been in hospital, I’m not married and I’m not pregnant, but I did fail my biology exam and I just wanted to make sure that when I told you, you put it in a proper perspective.

Love,
Your daughter.

Using a Positive Perspective to Ask Better Questions

Questions are powerful; they determine our focus, and therefore the amount of success, love, joy, fear and anger we experience in our everyday lives. If someone is continually asking negative orientated questions they feel stuck, in pain and frustrated. So, it’s better to ask yourself positive questions.

For example, the question “Why can’t I do this?” suggests that there is something to do, and you can’t do it. In order to even understand the question your mind begins to search for all the reasons “you can’t do”. The focus is negative, and you’ve accepted that you cannot do whatever you’re trying.

Alternatively, the question could have been; how can I most easily make this work? A much better question, this assumes that it can work, and there are a number of ways to do it, also that it can be done easily. These assumptions act as a directional compass, so your mind then searches for how to make things work.

Questions help direct your focus, and you always get more of what you focus on in life. If you’re not happy examine your inner questions, ask yourself how to make them much more empowering.

Here are some common, but unhelpful questions:

• Why does this always happen to me?
• Why don’t I like myself?
• Why can’t I ever lose weight?

The above questions only send people down a bad track, so here are some positive ones:

• What is the most elegant way I can solve this problem?
• How many different ways of solving this problem can I come up with?
• How can I most easily stop doing [whatever]?

Want some more empowerment? Ask yourself; who or what in your life makes you feel happiest, most loved, and passionate or [whatever you want].

The right questions can put your brain into a much more resourceful state. If you’re not happy with your solutions, change your questions; things will become easier, and you’ll experience less stress. Always focus on the solution, not the problem.

Using Beliefs to Create a More Enjoyable Life

In the same way a movie projector uses film to display an image on a screen, your beliefs create your world perspective. Your beliefs can work for you, or against you, as they determine the quality of your inner questions, therefore your life experience.

For example, someone might believe “the world is a dangerous place”, and another person might believe “the world is full of amazing destinations”. The first person is not likely to travel, while the second could already be in Paris. Beliefs can limit or unleash.

To determine your beliefs simply become more aware of your inner questions, then if you strike a disempowering question, or one that is not in alignment with your goals… change it. You’ll notice the belief begins to shift, and how noticeable it is will be determined by how different the inner question is.

Beliefs and questions are linked, change one, and the other changes as well. The trick is to become more self-aware of your thoughts, do this and anything that isn’t in alignment with your goals will stick out like a red flag.

You're unlimited and have the potential to create whatever you choose.