Want to Change Your Perspective? 7 Books That Will Help You Do That.
The ability to shift or change perspective is key to leading a fulfilled life.
To give you an example of this and how you can change perspective, think about this:
Is the glass half full, half empty or is it just a glass to you?
The key point of this example is this; the glass is just a glass with some liquid in it, it is, therefore, your interpretation, or rather, your perspective of this inanimate object that defines its state to you.
I use this example, not as the usual pessimistic/optimistic labelling, but as a way to help you realise that situations, people and anything in the outside world, just like the glass, just ‘is‘, and you, as an incredible, magnificent, complex human being with colourful experiences and past, have the power inside of you to change the way you view something if you decide to.
For instance, many people enjoy giving presentations, many others don’t. Both types of people stand in front of a crowd delivering a prepared collection of slides with a predetermined speech whilst gesturing at the screen with a pointer, however, one of them enjoys it, the other doesn’t. What is it about the actual act of presenting that is different? The answer is nothing. Nothing about the act changes but the perspective of each type of person is different.
Our perspectives are built up and strengthened by our years of life experience, successes, ‘failures’, enjoyment factors and so much more. So what if we could adjust our perspective to begin enjoying an activity that we previously found daunting? Well, that is lifechanging.
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change
Change your Perspective
Often I’m asked how I can view things differently, especially in the time of turmoil that we’re experiencing at the moment with the pandemic and lockdowns. Each time I’m asked it reminds me that the ability (and benefit) of shifting perspective is not usually a skill that we’re taught, and it most definitely should be.
I’d like to share with you 7 books which helped unlock that skill for me. Each of these books seemed to ‘appear’ in my life at just the right time, it’s funny how that happens, isn’t it? And every one of them gave me an insight into how to view the world differently, and most importantly that the way I was living my life was not the only way I could live it. These books gave me the power of choice.
When you realise that you have a choice, therein lies the power to shift your perspective and improve your way of being.
These books are in no particular order, however, number 7 is probably the biggest life-changer of them all.
The Celestine Prophecy
James Redfield
In Three Words
Adventure, Exciting, Insightful
The book that began the journey for me. I first read this when I was 19 and it’s realistic to say that it changed my life and opened up a whole new world of thinking for me. I’ve since bought more than 15 copies to share that powerful impact with others.
The Celestine Prophecy takes the reader on a wonderful fictional journey in search of an ancient Peruvian manuscript.
Although a work of fiction, patterned throughout all the twists and turns of this gripping adventure, you’ll learn of many (non-fiction) insightful & thought-provoking psychological and spiritual ideas, about coincidences, synchronicity, communication and perhaps even the meaning of life.
“loving and energizing others is the best possible thing we can do for ourselves.”
Think and Grow Rich
Napoleon Hill
In Three Words
Fascinating, Motivating, Empowering
Contrary to the title, this book is not just for people wanting to gain financial wealth.
The messages contained in this book urge you to truly consider your own mindset and how it serves you, also giving you suggestions on how to improve that mindset, and therefore, your life.
Although parts are somewhat outdated (it was first published in 1937), the relevance of the content and applications is still there.
Napoleon Hill spent 25 years+ observing some of the most successful people of his time.
He closely studied the plethora of millionaires, whom all came from such different backgrounds, such as Theodore Roosevelt, Henry J Ford, Thomas Edison & Rockefeller and, amongst many of his life-changing conclusions, demised that, “whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”
“A burning desire to be and to do is the starting point from which the dreamer must take off. Dreams are not born of indifference, laziness, or lack of ambition.”
Instant Intuition
Anne Jirsch
In Three Words
Magic, Shocking, Self-Learning
Ever thought about someone you haven’t heard of or seen for a long time and then suddenly they call you? or you bump into them on the street?
Ever considered you may be quite intuitive? Then I’d recommend this book.
Anne’s exciting and unique life story combined with simple and effective psychic exercises, quizzes and studies make this mind-boggling book quite the experience!
All of the techniques included in this book are backed with scientific research and give instant results, or, instant intuition. Honestly, I didn’t believe it myself until I tried it.
The Power of Now
Eckhart Tolle
In Three Words
Zen, Eye-opening, Peaceful
I read this book whilst in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest on an Ayahuasca retreat, and let me tell you something, this book accentuated the perfection of that experience.
Living in the ‘Now’ is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment.
Although simply explained, to be ‘present’ is a Buddhism-based concept quite alien to most of us in the Western world, yet Eckhart Tolle describes this experience and skill in the most gentle and eloquent ways. After just one read I felt lighter and like my eyes were open wider for the first time in my life.
Eckhart Tolle explains that for a long time he was at rock-bottom in terms of his mental health. He was depressed. Just at the time of him wanting to ‘give up’, he experienced enlightenment, and things have been very different for him ever since. He has since gone on to be a spiritual teacher spreading the practice and in demand worldwide.
“Stress is caused by being “here” but wanting to be “there,” or being in the present but wanting to be in the future.”
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
In Three Words
Soft, Inspiring, Uplifting
After first reading The Celestine Prophecy I was recommended this book time and time again and for good reason.
This magical masterpiece tells the story of a Shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. Along the way, however, is where he really discovers the true gems. Expect to delve deep in the discovery of lessons about following your dreams & listening to your heart.
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.”
Mindfulness – Plain & Simple
Oli Doyle
In Three Words
Soft, Inspiring, Uplifting
Inner Peace and happiness are available now, and they’re closer than you think. This book provides the tools, tips and techniques you need to de-stress and de-clutter your mind.
If mindfulness or meditation practice is new to you and you are seeking a simple, practical guide to living mindfully and de-stressing, this is a fantastic place to start. More recent than the other books I’ve mentioned, the author, Oli Doyle introduces us to an age-old concept and presents it in a practical, no-nonsense way. I recommend this book to anyone just starting out, or anyone who is even just a little bit interested in improving their mental wellbeing.
“Imagine sitting in your car with the engine running. You notice the noise of the engine and, not understanding that the noise comes from the engine, you decide to leave this noisy place and find some peace.
As you drive away, the noise seems to follow you, so you drive faster, desperately trying to escape it as you become more and more frantic. You continue to drive around for some time before, in desperation, you ask a peaceful-looking person on the side of the road how you can escape this noisy place. The person smiles knowingly and says, “Have you thought about turning the car off?”
You consider this for a moment before asking, “But how would I be able to escape from the noise if I turned the car off? I’d be stuck here.” The stranger laughs and tells you to try it anyway, you can always turn the car back on if necessary.
This makes sense so you do as the stranger suggests. Turning the key back the other way, a deafening silence erupts as the engine cuts out. You laugh at your foolishness, thank the stranger and continue living your life.”
A Journal
By You
In Three Words
Learn. About. You.
This may be the most life-changing book of them all.
Originally, the practice of journaling to me felt a little too, 14 yr old, ‘dear diary’, and I was unsure of how it could benefit me and my life. I mean, I know myself already, right? I spend all day with me and hear every single thought in my head, so why would I need to know any more? And how could writing it out help me change perspective?
Well, let me tell you, how wrong was I?
You see, spending so much time in our heads with our thoughts whizzing around constantly rarely gives us a chance to reflect on them. Take a second to imagine watching the fast lane on a motorway for 5 minutes. How many registration plates could you successfully read back?
Alongside meditation, journalling on a consistent basis is another way of getting your thoughts out of your mind to give you the time and space to reflect on them from a detached viewpoint. Why is that important? Because seeing them written out gives you the choice to either carry on thinking in the same way or addressing what you want to change and taking steps to do so.
Have you read one of these books? Do you have any tips to change your perspective? I would love to hear your opinion on it! Leave me a comment or drop me a message. x
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Chris Kelsey
Great read, love the content within.
Nikki
Thanks Chris! Glad you enjoyed 🙂