A young man just starting out in his career had to scrimp and save to buy his girlfriend a dozen white roses for her birthday. She was touched by the gesture, and in time, they got married.

Every year, her husband gave her a dozen white roses for her birthday. At first, she was moved by the sentiment. But as the years went by, and they grew more and more successful, she began to resent his lack of imagination. Eventually she began to get angry about the flowers, but she never said anything to him to spare his feelings.

Then suddenly her husband had a heart attack and died. She grieved for many months. Then on her next birthday, she received a delivery of a dozen white roses. She asked the florist what was happening, and he explained that her husband had arranged for her to receive a dozen white roses every year for her birthday after his death.

How our perceptions change with the passage of time! How often have we perceived the wrong scenario, only to realize our mistake too late. A rush to judgment can lead to disaster, such as a business failure. It can ruin reputations that are hard to repair, especially when the online backlash spreads despite your best efforts to fix the issue.  

That is why it is so important to give your brain time to consider all the available facts before taking action that is difficult to reverse.

Perceptions equate to reality for many. We can’t choose the filters that others choose when they judge us.

But perception and reality have very different meanings. The problem happens when perceptions become a person’s reality. They see what they expect or want to see, disregarding what is actually true.

As diarist Anais Nin observed, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

Perceptions play a critical role in decision-making because they shape how we interpret information and situations. Perceptions can impact decision-making in a variety of ways:

Bias and prejudgment. Imagine you’re hiring for a new position. If you have a preconceived notion that candidates from a certain background are less capable, you might subconsciously favor other candidates, even if they are less qualified. This bias can lead to poor hiring decisions, overlooking talented individuals who could have been a great fit for the role.

Risk assessment. If you perceive a business venture as highly risky based on past failures, you might avoid it altogether. This perception can prevent you from seizing potentially lucrative opportunities. Conversely, underestimating risks due to overly optimistic perceptions can lead to significant losses.

Communication and relationships. In a team setting, if you perceive a colleague’s feedback as criticism rather than constructive input, you might react defensively. This can strain relationships and hinder collaboration, leading to a less productive work environment.

Problem solving. When faced with a problem, if you perceive it as insurmountable, you might give up too quickly. This can prevent you from finding innovative solutions and overcoming challenges. On the other hand, perceiving a problem as a minor issue might lead to inadequate solutions.

Customer service. If you perceive a customer complaint as an attack rather than an opportunity for improvement, you might be tempted to respond defensively. This can damage customer relationships and harm your business’s reputation. Viewing complaints as valuable feedback is an opportunity for improvements and increased customer satisfaction.

Here are some strategies to mitigate the negative impact of perceptions:

Seek diverse perspectives. Consult with others who have different viewpoints to gain a more balanced understanding of a situation. This can help you see beyond your own biases and make more informed decisions.

Reflect and question. Take time to reflect on your perceptions and question their validity. Ask yourself if there is evidence to support your views. This can help you identify and correct faulty assumptions.

Continuous learning. Stay informed and educate yourself about different cultures, perspectives and experiences. This broadens your understanding and reduces the likelihood of making decisions based on incorrect perceptions.

Empathy and understanding. Put yourself in others’ shoes to understand their perspectives and motivations. This can improve your interpersonal relationships and lead to more compassionate and effective decision-making.

How you perceive a situation can significantly influence your decisions. Strive to base your perceptions on accurate information and remain open to different viewpoints to make better, more informed choices.

Mackay’s Moral: Change your perception of things and you will change your reality.