Perception Does Not Equal Reality

 

One of the truisms I have often talked about in business training seminars is that perception equals reality. But lately I’ve been made acutely aware that our perceptions of people and things do not equal reality in many cases. I think all of us need to stop and realize that our impressions can be and often are wrong. 

 

Now, of course it’s important that we realize how others perceive us, for their perception becomes their reality of what we are like, even if it isn’t actually true. Many times if we’re aware of the unfavorable perceptions we create, we can make some changes that will eliminate those poor impressions. For example, you may be able to create a much better and more accurate impression of yourself on the telephone by changing some aspect of your tone of voice.

 

So, this phrase – "Perception equals reality" – is a helpful tool and has much validity. We should make every effort to keep from causing someone to have a wrong or poor impression of us.

 

But there is a flip side to this teaching that needs to be addressed as well. While we are being careful to create the best impression we can, we need to be equally cautious about forming impressions of others too quickly, and recognize that we may often jump to conclusions and form an inaccurate and unfair perception of others.

 

I’m sure, like me, you see evidence of this kind of thing around you all the time—at home, at work, at church, wherever people interact.  I see this tendency in myself to judge other people very quickly. To form perceptions based on short and inadequate interactions and information, and then to allow that wrong impression to become my reality.

 

Do you recognize that in yourself as well? You know, when we do that, we usually end up spreading those wrong perceptions around quite freely, and in the process, we can damage that person’s reputation and cause others to think poorly of her or him, based on our wrong perceptions.

 

Been jumping to any conclusions lately? Forming opinions too quickly? It can be a very un-Christlike habit that needs to be recognized, confessed, and by God’s grace, changed. So, today as you go through your day, watch out for those perceptions and keep remembering that your perceptions may not equal reality.