What is your perception?
Let’s start by understanding the meaning of the word perception…
“It’s the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses, or the way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted”
How we each perceive things will be entirely different.
Imagine sitting on a gyroscope frame with the centre being the world rotating in different directions; we will each be seeing the world from different points in the frame and as the central axis rotates so does our view.
Every thought, action, and reaction is based on the way we perceive something. This may be through intuition, from a previously learned experience or knowledge gained in the past.
Our behaviour is massively affected by the way we perceive something.
Like when we misread an email or misjudge someone’s body language or misinterpret their actions. How we perceive the situation will have an impact on how we react to it.
HOW DOES IT SHOW UP EMOTIONALLY?
Do you take something personally and react emotionally?
Do you feel anxious when receiving a terse comment or email?
Do you react to something without thought whilst your emotions are high?
HOW DOES IT SHOW UP PHYSICALLY?
Do you feel that ‘fight or flight’ sensation in the pit of your stomach?
Do you feel light headed or tight chested?
Do your knees feel weak?
Ask yourself
Do I read a situation thoughtfully and mentally?
Do I rationally think it through, set out the pros and cons of a dilemma, and put a logical framework in place?
Do I panic and put a rash plan in place?
Do I leave emotion at the door and come to the task at hand with a mindful presence?
Or do I overthink the situation and then procrastinate?
Whatever your usual state, how aware are you of your reaction to your own perceptions?
Are you more likely a…
What shows up for you first?
Do you THINK it through, then react?
Do you explore your emotions first and how it makes you FEEL?
Do you react and just DO it before thinking anything through regardless of how it makes you feel?
Take the time to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how they impact your business and the decisions you make.
Let’s also explore the perceptions of others and how we can influence the way people SEE, THINK and FEEL about us by being aware of their potential perceptions.
For example, how you show up in business has a massive impact on the general perception from others of how you run your business, such as:
How you behave in a meeting
How much you drink, eat or talk at a networking event
Whether you are always on time or generally always late
The way you listen and engage with others
Whether you do what you say you are going to do
How present you are with others in public
Your online presence and what you post via social media channels
Your body language and facial expressions
Your tone of voice, whether written or spoken
How do you want your business to be perceived?
What needs to happen to ensure this?
Take the opportunity to brainstorm these questions so you can have a better understanding of how you react and the way you see things. Start seeing things from another perspective, perhaps through the lens of your clients or suppliers. How would you like them to see you?
GOOD LUCK!
Don’t forget you can join my monthly Hub Club to discover even more!
Faye Watts is a Strategic Business Coach and founder of London accountancy firm, FUSE Accountants. Sharing business development skills with business owners like you through planning, coaching and advisory. She is also the co-founder of Audrey, an online platform for women who know there’s more to life and sits on the board of various organisations, including as a trustee for the charity Neuroblastoma UK.
Know someone who could benefit from this blog post? Feel free to share it with them: