Many of us at one point in our daily lives often wonder what the next person thinks of us. There is a popular belief that people’s impression or opinions of you do not matter as long as you focus on your goals. It has even driven some societal behaviors that as we look back, we often wonder whether it is doing more harm than good.
Certain people’s opinion of us matter a great deal and many of our actions to a large extent are driven by an innate desire to create an impression (whether positive or negative) before people, entities or a society. Acceptance is a valid human desire and it drives our associations and inclinations. Even the Bible showed how important perceptions or impressions are, Jesus had asked his disciples who had been with him for a while, a question on how he is perceived. Peter’s answer and Jesus’s response to him indicates the importance of impressions.
Acceptance is a valid human desire and it drives our associations and inclinations. Even the Bible showed how important perceptions or impressions are, Jesus had asked his disciples who had been with him for a while, a question on how he is perceived. Peter’s answer and Jesus’s response to him indicates the importance of impressions.
As much as I agree that we should not wholly live our lives dependent on people’s opinions or beliefs about us, I believe it is important that we create standards for our lives based on the right values that drive excellence. I believe that anyone who does not consciously try to be a better version of him or herself or live a life that promotes truth, decency and order leaves himself to be perceived in a way that may be in discordance with his personal perceptions or societal expectations.
The right perceptions of you by people can create opportunities and even open doors for you. The wrong opinions about you can prevent you from achieving your highest potentials. It can limit your opportunities. Think of it like calling someone on the phone and the other party identifying your name refuses to pick up your call because he doesn’t have a high regard for you or believes you are calling to beg again or disturb him on something that he is not ready for. Some of us might have good intentions but we failed to consider how it is perceived by others or that we did not consider how best to pass across a message to ensure it is taken in our expected fashion.
The concept of branding is based on impressions. Organizations thrive on their brands, likewise celebrities flourish based on their carefully designed brands. Likewise as individuals, you need to be conscious on how you are perceived by people who matter to you. This is important to getting to desired goals.
Have you tried to find out how you are perceived? Are your actions/activities/ presence and postulations aligned to your personal visions? Are your values seen in your actions or your personality as whole? These are food for thought.
I see you!
