A Small Shift in Perspective

Tiny tweaks that can create significant change

Iby Rowena Morais spend a lot of time daily, dealing with words. Mostly, it is the written word but there is also much opportunity to deal with the spoken word. Through the years, I’ve discovered that you do not always need to make big changes in your approach in order to get significant results. Sometimes, it is the smallest of shifts that can create monumental impact.

I’ll share one change I made some time back that makes all the difference to me. I altered the way I viewed and spoke about the changes I was making. Instead of saying “I am trying to ….” I started to say “I am working on ….”.

We all struggle with one thing or another at various points in our lives. It is a journey towards completion and fulfilment and therefore, it is critical that our mind-set and philosophical approach towards our trials and tribulations be set appropriately. The mind is a powerful thing we cannot underestimate.

Talking about things we struggle with in terms of trying is a focus on the struggle. It seems to indicate that we are not succeeding as yet; that is not something we want to be concerned with in the initial phase. It creates an emotional reaction and mood within, imperceptible at most times.

By changing your words to “I am working on…”, the mood shifts to more neutral ground. It starts to look proactive and dare I say, positive in outlook. It becomes one more thing you are working on, like your other projects and goals. It provides no indication of success or failure. By removing the negativity associated with the word ‘trying’, you imbue whatever you’re working on with positive energy. It begins to possess a heightened sense of purpose and helps you move forward slowly but surely.

The beauty of this is that anyone can put this into action at whatever stage of life they are in, regardless of what they may be facing. Begin by being mindful of how often you say “I am trying to…”. That in itself, may be challenging because when something is so deeply embedded as a process, habit-like, it is hard to notice and just as hard to change. It seems like it is how it has always been and yet, what has always been need not be that way in the future.

Second, you will find yourself still saying the words “I am trying to …” and you will allow it. Frustration may set in but perfection is not what you’re after. What you want to do is to catch yourself using the word and then reposition it thereafter. Repeat your statement then, changing the ‘trying’ to ‘working on’ and notice how the shift begins to happen in your mind. Over time, you will begin to notice how you’re thinking the word before it is uttered which means the change can take place in your mind before the words are spoken.

The transition takes time. Mindfulness takes time. But what helps makes this successful is the strength of your desire.

How badly do you want this to happen?

What are you willing to do, and do repeatedly, in order to make this happen?

When the desire is strong and persistent, hardships and failures, though repeated, are par for the course. You expect it, you will deal with it, you will overcome it.

This may have slightly more significance for those who deal with imposter syndrome, a psychological pattern of beliefs where you doubt your accomplishments and have a persistent fear of not being good enough.

Let’s say you are writing your first book.

When you say you are trying to write a book, the first impression you give is not positive. It sounds hesitant – it may or may not work. But if you say you are working on your book, it comes across positive, proactive and dynamic. It may look simple and small but the effect is noticeable. Try it today and look out for how this small shift changes things for you.

Editor and Programme Director at VerticalDistinct. com, a media and learning organisation, Rowena Morais focuses on curated learning, communication and content. An editor, LinkedIn profile writer and TEDx speaker, she supports Human Resource and Technology professionals in their career development through articles, interviews and a range of internationally accredited, in-demand technical and professional courses offered throughout Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Tweeting at @rowenamorais, she is a ghostwriter and can be found at rowenamorais. com. Rowena runs Thrive Kuala Lumpur, a meetup for career women and the Kuala Lumpur Human Capital and Talent Professionals meetup. For more info, look for these groups on meetup.com.