The lens through which we choose to see the world has a massive impact on our interpretation. In fact you could go as far as to say that there is no objective reality at all and that everything is simply down to perception and interpretation!!
For example if I see myself as an unlucky person then I am likely to perceive situations in a very different way to someone who feels positive and lucky.
If I see a job advertised that I really want to apply for the ‘lucky’ person will go for it with a sense of optimism and hope which will most likely help them create a positive impact at interview and secure the role. The unlucky person starts from a very different place believing that they will probably miss out or that someone else will come along and steal the job from under their noses at the last minute. The reality is that with such a mindset you will probably contribute to just such a series of events.
Lots of writers have talked about mindset and the importance of how we view the world. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. The fixed mindset says that you are who you are and you can’t do much about it. You have a certain amount of intelligence, a certain amount of ability and that’s that. The growth mindset is very different – it argues that the harder you work the better you get. It believes that we can change and grow through practise and effort.
People with a fixed mindset run from possible failure and as such opportunity. People with a growth mindset don’t like failure but they don’t allow it to define them. It’s how you respond to it that matters!
So if you really do make the weather, if you are really responsible for your own happiness that only leaves one question. What type of person are you?
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