How you see yourself - matters. Your perspective will influence how well you present yourself to the marketplace. It impacts how much energy, time and quality effort you’ll actually devote to find a job, generate new business, get great clients or change careers. Is your current point of view holding you back - or is it serving you?

To explain perspective, we have Sesame Street to thank for a catchy little song that closes:

“That’s about the size
It’s where you put your eyes
That’s about the size of it.”

Perspective is like a lens - a way of seeing your world, your influence in it and the potential it represents.

Getting what you want - are you in your own way?

1. How are you looking at the transition you now experience? Regardless of the circumstances that brought you here, do you see possibilities?

2. Do you see yourself as employable - whether working for someone or going it solo?

3. How do you regard your capabilities, qualifications, professional background? Do you see your past work in a positive light?

4. How does the job market or business landscape look to you? Even in this recession, do you believe there is opportunity?

5. Do you accept others’ beliefs about “how it is out there?” Do you know that their experiences in the marketplace needn’t be yours?

What did you discover? Are you holding self-limiting beliefs about your talents, skills and marketability?

The good news

Your perspective can change. Do you remember when you played with a kaleidoscope as a kid? The fanciful designs created from the bits of colored pieces of glass were mesmerizing. Time flew by as you created new patterns simply by rotating the tube.

Real changes and better results will happen when you shift your perspective. Always value your past contributions, talent and skills. This challenging economy is not a personal reflection on your abilities. Don’t buy into the pervasive belief that there is no opportunity.

Today’s question

What is the one main belief you hold that keeps you from going after what you want?