Plus where this phrase comes from, and how to use it in conversation
This article was co-authored by Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Michelle Shahbazyan is the Founder of The LA Life Coach, a concierge life, family, and career coaching service based in Los Angeles, California. She has over 10 years of experience with life coaching, consulting, motivational speaking, and matchmaking. She has a BA in Applied Psychology and an MS in Building Construction and Technology Management from Georgia Tech University, and a MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
If you’ve ever listened to a speech at a graduation or commencement ceremony, you’ve likely heard the phrase “the world is your oyster.” This uplifting metaphor essentially means that the world is full of opportunity, and it’s all yours for the taking. If you want to know more about this popular saying, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll explain what it means, provide examples in sentences, and go over its origins. We’ve also interviewed Michelle Shahbazyan, founder of LA Life Coach, for advice on how to live like the world is your oyster, so keep reading!
If someone tells you that “the world is your oyster,” they’re essentially saying that you can go wherever you want to go and achieve whatever you want to achieve. The world is wide open to you, and you have complete freedom to choose your own path.
Be true to yourself and your passions. Living like the world is your oyster means going after what you truly want, even when you’re pressured to choose a different path. “Sometimes people think, ‘I can’t do this job–there’s not enough money,’ or ‘I’m going to be looked down upon,’” but this is the wrong mindset, explains Shahbazyan. “The number one most important thing is to sit with your own mind to decide who you want to be, and to not let external stimuli shape who you are,” she says.
- For example, maybe your parents are pressuring you to pursue a career in medicine, but you’re more interested in law. Or, maybe you want to work in a creative field, but people are telling you this is an unrealistic dream.
- Whatever your situation, it’s important to remember that this is your life, so your passions and goals should inform your decisions more than other people’s expectations of you.
- Plus, passion is a key ingredient for success, so you’ll likely reach even more impressive heights when you’re pursuing something you truly care about and enjoy![5]
Build up your self-confidence. If you’re embarking on a new journey in life, like starting college or moving out of your childhood home, you may be nervous about your ability to cope. To make it through, Shahbazyan recommends reminding yourself that you are strong and capable. “Know that you have all the tools you need in order to succeed,” says Shahbazyan. “Most people have a lot more ability than they give themselves credit for, and any problem has a solution.”
- Try reciting positive affirmations to increase your confidence in your abilities.
- You could say something like, “I am a strong, determined, and capable person,” or “I have the ability to succeed, and I’ll persevere until I do.”
- When you approach life with this go-getting, motivated attitude, the world will truly be your oyster!
Set some goals, and persevere until you achieve them. Once you’ve decided what you’re passionate about, start making a plan to achieve your goals. This usually means breaking up your overarching goal into smaller, do-able steps, then working through the steps methodically.[6]
- For example, if your goal is to become a lawyer, start by breaking this major goal up into smaller stepping stones.
- The first step might be applying to a university and getting a bachelor’s degree. Then the next step might be taking the LSAT and filling out your law school applications, and so on.
- Remember, it will likely take some time to crack open the oyster and reach the pearl you’re going after, but with a little hard work and determination, there’s nothing you can’t achieve!
- For example, if your goal is to become a lawyer, start by breaking this major goal up into smaller stepping stones.
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Source: tiengtrunghaato.edu.vn