The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

IF your perception is 99 per cent of your reality, then isn’t it important to know what makes up your perception? 

Yet most people have no idea what makes up their perceptions.

In most instances, perceptions are made up of external factors – predominantly filled with stuff from our five senses.  These are things from our eyesight, not necessarily our insight. 

So while most agree with the notion that 99 per cent of their perception is their reality, most never ask the question about what makes up their perception. Recognise that your perception is not only 99 per cent of your reality, it is the totality of your reality, because there’s no real motivation to analyse the value of the remaining one per cent. 

For this reason, there is no real reality; there is only perception. This concept may be a bit challenging to wrap your head around, yet it is fundamental. The way you see things is based on many factors. Such as, what you believe, your core values, cultural norms and most importantly, your sense of self. 

The lens of your perception is developed from within. Another word for perception is awareness or discernment, which is a very subjective, personal concept. You are only aware of what you are aware of, and only this makes up your awareness.  Similarly, your perception is primarily made up of the information you possess and the way you perceive that information. The challenge is that the bulk of what you perceive also comes from the perception of others. 

One of the more influential creators of perceptions is the media. This is because of the critical role media plays in the life of humans everywhere. Through the media’s interpretation and sensational delivery or broadcast of information they often shape the perception of the masses. Another key area where perceptions are strongly shaped is in the arena of religion. 

With so many individuals using a personal, subjective interpretation of biblical information and emotionally delivering it to the masses there is endless opportunity to shape the perception of others, and we see the results in the world of painful perceptions we have created.

Living in this age of information means that anyone can learn anything. As such, given the right platform, anyone can influence your perception. This is where your responsibility begins. 

You must guard your mind and be intentional in understanding the ingredients that make up the lens of your perception.  Take responsibility for going further, digging deeper and asking bigger questions about the information you are receiving before you accept into your mind space.

Despite its many challenges, life is an intriguing adventure. It readily invites us to deepen our understanding and expand our awareness (perception) of what it is possible for our lives. Unfortunately, most decline to accept this great invitation from life. Indeed, in a world of fleeting dreams, functional addictions and hunger for instant gratification, cleansing one’s perception can be an enormous challenge.

Even so, you must do it. Stretch your mind in order to expand your life. Take time to analyse your perception, because more often than not, you always see the world as you are, not as it is. You can only change the world by first changing yourself. 

This takes having the clarity and confidence to own your life. To know what you believe and why you believe it and having confidence in yourself. 

Leader to leader, make today the day that you unravel the ingredients of your perception. Commit to the habit of being discriminate in seeking quality information that expands your perception. 

When you positively change your perception, you positively change your reality and can more confidently live the life that you love.

What do you think? 

Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770 or by snail mail to PO Box CB-13060. You can also visit www.taketheleadbook.com.

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, leadership expert and host of the radio programme “Men & The e-Factor”.