Perception is Reality

Do you know how others perceive you? Have you ever wondered? Do you even care?

You may have heard this proverb somewhere along your career path:

They'll never care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Trite? Maybe. But there's probably a nugget of truth there. In fact, I've learned recently that often the things that seem to bug me the most usually carry with them a lesson I need to learn.

We are measured ...
Not by what we are, but by the perception of what we seem to be;
Not by what we do, but by how we appear to do it.

It really doesn't matter what I think as it relates to my behavior in the world. If I'm a nice, caring person in my own mind but occur in the world as a pushy blowhard, that's what I am. Others' perception is their reality, and unless I'm willing to take a look at that through eyes other than my own, I'm destined to remain forever locked in that perception.

It's as easy (and as difficult) as having a conversation. But I've got to be willing to hear - really hear - what the other person says.

Try it - I guarantee it will make all the difference in the world.