The Power of Perception

THE POWER OF PERCEPTION

I was having a conversation with a couple of women at a meeting I recently attended.  We were speaking about how we influence our circumstances by how we PERCEIVE a situation.

Let me give you an example.

MANY years ago, when I was single, I met a man at a conference.  After the conference, he reached out to me, eventually asking if I might be open to exploring a relationship with him.  We didn’t live in the same area, so I was reluctant.  

I remember opening up the conference directory that had our pictures and contact information.  Now, I’m not proud of what I’m about to say…but I remember thinking to myself ‘he’s so dorky looking.’  But I also realized I was enjoying our conversation.

And we had a few of those before he came to visit me.

Now here is the interesting part.

Before he came for his visit, I opened up that same directory and looked at that same picture of him.  Only this time I remember saying “He’s so cute!”

Now, it’s pretty clear that the photo did not change.

It was ME and my perception of him that changed.

The reason I’m bringing this up is that we all make fast judgments about EVERYTHING.  Some of those conclusions may be serving you…but I’m also going to challenge you to consider that some of those may be closing doors of opportunity (in ANY area of your life).

You are making decisions ALL the time based mostly on past experiences.  Does it feel safe?  Will I be rejected?  Will this person help me?  Can I benefit in some way from knowing this person? (by the way, most of these internal conversations are unconscious, so you are not even aware that this is going on).

I’m not just referring to just your personal relationships.  We are doing this ALL the time.

If you are single and scouting through one of the online dating sites, you may be eliminating a really good match for you, without even realizing, because their photo does not fit a person that you would normally be attracted to.  We have been programmed through the media, tv and movies of a certain ‘type’ and it’s created a lot of suffering in the world.

And I’m pretty sure it’s also impacted a lot of really good people who would make great partners from finding each other.

And also remember there are a lot of people out there that are simply not photogenic.

So take time to read their profile.  Is there something they say that sparks their interest?

I was just speaking with a woman I recently met.  She is getting married in a week.  When I asked her how she and her fiancé met, she said online.  She also shared with me how their first meeting was awkward and she didn’t feel there was a connection between the two of them.

However, there was a little ‘internal niggle’ that had her wonder if she had made too quick of a decision.  So she decided to give him a second chance.

It turns out her fiancé was really nervous on their first date.  She was literally the first woman he had gone out with since his divorce.  And their second date was (obviously) wonderful.  She shared with me that had she not opened up her perception and not quickly judge, she could have lost the opportunity of sharing her life with this wonderful man.

So whether you are single, married or simply wanting to build business relationships…maybe it’s time to take a half step back and see how you are viewing yourself, your life and the world.  Maybe by giving yourself permission to look at life from a slightly different angle…you’ll begin to notice some amazing opportunities right in front of you.

Enjoy!