Guest Author - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Whether you're training for a marathon, trying to lose weight, or saving money for a condo – you'll be interested in these research findings about perspective and achievement.

The research
Researchers found that an objective third-person perspective not only affects your motivation levels, it can also influence your "interpretation of past events." Cornell psychology professor Thomas Gilovich continues with, "Looking at yourself from an outside observer's perspective can help accentuate the changes you've made more than using a first-person perspective." This in turn increases your motivation to change, which could propel you towards your goals.

Study participants recalled past experiences with or memories of psychotherapy from either their own perspective (first person, using "I") or an objective point of view (third person, using "he" or "she"). Volunteers then considered how much change or growth they experienced during and since the event. Those who remembered the event from the third person reported more progress – and they also acted out more behavioral changes – than those who recalled memories from the first person.

Remembering events from the third person leads you to perceive more change than if you remember them in the first person, especially if you're specifically looking for how much you've changed or what achievements you've made.

How this works in your life
Say you want to improve your motivation to keep dieting. Instead of saying "I worked really hard to lose five pounds in two months," say, "She worked really hard to lose five pounds in two months." Expand on what you did or didn't do, what motivated you, what successes you achieved. You'll perceive great amounts of change, and you'll be motivated to work harder and go even further!

Or, perhaps you want to improve your body image by being more accepting of certain body parts. Don't say "I'm learning to like my nose." Instead, say, "She's learning to accept and even love her nose because it's part of her body – she's come a long way in growth and self-acceptance!" Give yourself a little pat on the back and unconditional love in the third person.

Your perspective is everything
Life – your past achievements, future goals, current struggles or successes – depends mightily on your perspective. Whether you're recalling memories from the first or third person, whatever you focus on will change your attitude and mood. If you remember and honor how far you've come, you may be motivated to go even further! If you dwell on how far you have to go, you may become too weary to continue.