We Don’t See The Same Thing

We don’t see the world as it is. We see it as we are.

That means that our reality will differ from the reality experienced by everyone you deal with… clients, brokers, loan officers, agents, recruiters, family and even the paper boy (they still have those, right?).

Most of us are like movie projectors and screens.  What we see is a reflection of what we are looking for and expecting to see.  Can we see more than that?  Of course, but our own experiences, mental filters and even education and background influence how we process what we observe.

I see so many people that automatically assume things as fact or reality that I find to be wrong, strange or just different. So do other people.  It is the automatic assumptions that can make a deal, a contract or a sale difficult.

Making this worse are the people that believe the truths they see in the world… their perspective… is the only way the world exists.  So they bully, push, pull and shove to get you and everyone else to understand how they are right.

So what do you do about this?  Well, I would submit that considering the other perspectives is a first and critical step.  You don’t have to agree with it, but perhaps try to understand it.  Then look for ways to find any aspect of it you agree.  This will help you find ways to ask questions about things from the other perspective, instead of your own.

Pushing back information on someone that “knows” they are right rarely works.  So don’t.  Instead, try to see the world as they do, then work with them as best you can.  It does not mean you give in to them.  Just be more interested in helping someone than showing them how right you are today.