Perception

Recently, my mentor introduced me to a book by John Assaraf, titled "Having It All: Achieving Your Life's Goals and Dreams". And he insisted that I must read it immediately.

A few pages of reading into the book, I was totally stunned by the brilliance of the contents, and have been so glued to it ever since. For this, I have to really thank my mentor for giving me the sense of urgency to read this book.

Here I would like to share one of the small topics which I find very interesting - about "perception".

I'm sure most of us have seen this famous logo:

What do you see when you look at this logo? I'm sure 100% of you out there who can read alphabets would be able to see the name "FedEx".

Now, apart from the word "FedEx", what else do you see? Some of you may name the colours that you see. Some of you may mention the little "R" symbol behind the "x". But how many of you have ever noticed the "arrow"?

If you can't find it, look carefully at the space between the "E" and the "x". Ah ha!

Now that you know where to look, you'll never fail to see it again.

As John Assaraf explains:

Whether you realize it or not, you saw the arrow all along, because it was there all along. However, you might not have perceived it. Seeing is not the same as perceiving.

In truth, we see the world not as it really is, but only as we really are. Our beliefs and habits act as filters that get the way of truth and possibilities. Our beliefs and habits create mental blind spots that cause us to drop certain visual or sensory input that doesn't match with our "internal map of reality". We talk, act and pretend out of the prejudices of our beliefs. As a result, our beliefs and habits affect our self-esteem, our relationships, our prosperity, our job performance, our mental and physical health, and even the way other people treat us, because people treat us exactly the way we see and treat ourselves.

What does this imply to our real life?

Two individuals who look at the same event, such as the stocks market crashing, may perceive the event differently. One may see it as the world is going to end and he needs to hold tight to all his money in order to survive; whereas, the other may see it as an opportunity to go on a shopping spree for cheap stocks.

Two individuals who look at the same anonymous call coming into their phones. One may perceive it as just another annoying telemarketer calling, and preset himself to say "no" to whatever the caller has to say; whereas, the other may see it as someone calling in to present an opportunity or deal, and prepares himself to listen intently to whatever the caller has to say.

Seeing is not the same as perceiving.

To get the best of perception, the next time you see something, remind yourself, "So this is what I see. Is there anything else that I could possibly have missed?"