Challenges of Challenging Your Perceptions - What is it All About?

Challenging your perceptions is part of your evolution as an artist. If you don't believe that what you're doing is good enough, or "trendy", then you will continue to work in the same way, unsatisfying your purpose. If you are afraid of the results, you won't do anything because you won't risk anything. If you are afraid of trying something new, or of failing, then you won't be willing to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.


In each of our lives, we encounter new situations and opportunities. Most of the time, these opportunities prove to be something more fulfilling than what we initially thought. When you view a situation differently, you have the chance to view it from an entirely different perspective. This would allow you to see the truth of what others are saying or not saying about you, which in turn allows you to see how you can improve. Sometimes it is through a challenge that we are able to look at what is really a hindrance to our success.

There are many ways to challenge your own perception, without necessarily needing to become negative about it. Some of them are: challenge your internal mind-set, challenge your emotions, challenge your language, challenge your logic, challenge your system, challenge your habits, challenge your relationships, challenge your power, challenge your limitations, and challenge your limitations as an artist. What is important is that you are willing to face these issues head-on and do whatever it takes in order to overcome them. It could take some effort, but the benefits are well worth it.

First, it is important that you know that you are in charge of your perception. If you think that you are doing something wrong, then you are going to be in a defensive state. This defensive state will make you think that there is something wrong with you, that you are flawed, that you are not worthy, that you are not good enough, that you are not smart enough, that you are greedy, that you do not know what is right and what is wrong, that you are weak, or that you are a coward. Challenge all of these negative thoughts! You are strong enough to see things clearly and to know that these thoughts are just ideas created by the mind to control you.

The next step is to challenge your beliefs. When you believe something to be true, no matter how hard you try to push it away or rationalize it away, this becomes your reality. It doesn't matter what other people think. It doesn't matter if you are told by someone else, by your boss, your spouse, a friend, or a book writer. Your perceptions become your reality, and if you want to change them, you must challenge them. Try to get rid of all forms of "I don't believe that" thinking.

If someone tells you that you are not talented, then challenge them. Ask them why you believe that you are talented. Tell them that you don't understand the question that you are being asked, but that you believe that it is because you have talent. If they still continue to tell you that you are talented, then you can tell them that again, you are incorrect. They are not capable of understanding what your perception is, because you are forcing your belief on them.

Challenging your beliefs will cause you to start looking at other peoples behaviors instead of their beliefs. This is a natural reaction, but what you must do is to look for the behavioral patterns in their behavior. For example, if a person has always held themselves to high standards, but is now experiencing failure, they may blame the failure on their previous standards and beliefs. So instead of saying, "You always had these beliefs about yourself," you can say, "You seem to have lost touch with your core beliefs. Perhaps these have been replaced by feelings of inadequacy."


By understanding the relationship between your beliefs, your reality, and others, you will be able to change them. No one is capable of changing your beliefs. But you can choose to be open to their suggestions, and you can challenge their perceptions to see where it leads you. Only then will you truly live your life to its fullest.