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A common phrase you here in my country, the United States, is that "Perception is Reality." Well, that's what Madison Avenue would like you to believe, even though this concept is wrong on a factual basis. However, in today's society perception can be more powerful than reality when it comes to success.
Other people's perceptions of us can dramatically influence our self concept and self esteem. It can also make or break a career. Whether the perceptions are accurate or not, if you are perceived as lazy, rude, or lacking in professionalism, it can make or break a career.
The author of the now famous New York Times Best Seller the 4-hour Work Week wrote about how he would only work a few hours in his first corporate job and spend the rest of the time looking busy, pretending to talk on his sell phone to clients, and that was enough to advance!
Perception becomes deeply rooted in us while growing up. What others say about us, even if it's completely bogus, can become our reality if they are repeated enough. Also, our perception of what others think about us tends to act as a mirror for how we see ourselves, even though noone in the world can know what we're capable of or what we really are inside except for ourselves.
As we get older, the more successful among us find that being true to ourselves and having a strong base of convictions, just like a mighty redwood has a firm and deep set of roots, is necessary when it comes to being able to actualize our potential. However, most people seem to align their actions in accordance with how they would like others to perceive them, which is understandable, since we our social creatures. However, being a slave to the values of others can make you a soulless, unhappy shell of a human being when most people are probably not thinking about you that much any ways.
Too much of a reliance on positive feedback from others puts us in the vulnerable position of creating an environment in which others can make or break us. The maturity and strength of character that comes with an acceptance and an appreciation of ourselves, along with our flaws, will help the individual journey through this complex world we live in which is awash in shades of grey. You have nothing to prove to anyone, except the person you see in the mirror.
After all, success, failure, winners or losers don't really exist - they are just ideas. People just make personal choices in this game we play on this small speck of dust hurtling through space.
So perceive positive futures, assume success and do not blame anyone, even if you're right - your subconscious mind cannot perceive that you are right, it only feels the negative effects of blaming - and leave the rest up to the universe.
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Peter V. Ruble
CEO
AmericanRubles.com
Peter V. Ruble
CEO
www.AmericanRubles.com
www.eDealsGoneWild.com
www.TheAmericanRuble.com |
