Rigid Perception - Get ready to think differently

I've been having a hard time writing about Perception because I believe it's one of the biggest things holding people back. Why do I think that? Well, humans are often taught to see things in a very limited way—either as something good or something bad. We rarely give ourselves the chance to consider that there might be an unexpected outcome that challenges how we see things.

Perceptions are not truths, they are an interpretation of your experiences: Converting your perceptions into a perspective can bring clarity and structure to your understanding of the world, but it also comes with certain dangers; especially if done without self-awareness and critical thinking.

It's insightful to recognize that often, people are conditioned to see things in binary terms—either as good or bad, positive or negative. This black-and-white thinking tends to block the exploration of more complex, nuanced, or alternative outcomes.

Perception can become a filter that narrows our thinking. By sticking to familiar or expected ways of interpreting the world, we miss opportunities for growth, creativity, and understanding. The idea of entertaining the odd outcome—the one that doesn't neatly fit into the binary categories we've been taught—forces us to question the lens through which we view reality.

Breaking free from this limited perception can lead to new insights, deeper empathy, and a more open-minded way of engaging with the world. It’s not just about allowing different perspectives but being willing to embrace ambiguity and see the value in not having all the answers - roll the dice - as they say.

Taking it one step further, this topic also taps into the broader concept of cognitive flexibility, which is essential for adapting to new information and changing circumstances. So, if you're struggling with creating a new perception to tackle the challenges ahead, I invite you to explore beyond your comfort zone and push past the mental blocks that come from seeing only the most familiar options.

Here are 5 questions you can use to elevate your Perception game:

• How am I feeling right now?

• What am I looking for to fit my narrative?

• What is shame preventing you from doing?

• When asked to reflect on your struggles, do you use avert responsibility language?

• What would you let go of if feeling uncomfortable was the one guaranteed emotion you would feel in your life's journey?