 Earlier this past week, you probably saw the same thing I saw. However, we likely feel differently about it. Yep... despite the fact that we saw the exact same thing... ...it all depends on how you see it! Literally everything we do is affected by how we decide to prioritize our day, our week, and our life. Likewise, our propensities (our habits) help to ensure today is quite a bit like yesterday. In fact, some scientists estimate as much as 80% of our daily activities can be considered habitual. Considering this little tidbit of information, how can we best leverage our attention and focus our efforts to achieve a particular result? Which presentations are most important? In the simplest terms, self-perception is simply how you see and think about your self. Similarly, you also have a world-perception. And, like self-perception, world-perception is an awareness and viewpoint of the characteristics of the world… as only you see it. Though you are the same person, your viewpoint is continuously evolving, and it is constantly being defined and refined by you and your everyday experiences. But what exactly is a “presentation?” Similar to perspectives, presentations are literally how we present and represent the facts to ourselves and to others. Some might argue that a presentation is the same thing as a perspective or a perception. However, the latter two words only cover part of the story. Perspective, and more specifically, self-perspective, relates to how we see ourselves. Perception relates to how we see the world. But presentations relate to perspective and perception, as well as a third element: How we intend for the world to see us. This third element specifically relates to how we present ourselves to the world. Interestingly, self-perception is simply another presentation: It’s how we present our self to our self. It’s what we tell ourselves about our self. Likewise, world-perception is also another presentation: It’s how we present the world to our self. It’s what we tell ourselves about the world. So… there are three types of presentations that everyone makes as we interact with the world and ourselves. Two of these presentations are mere perspectives. However, the third presentation is just that: A pure presentation – a way of presenting and representing ourselves – to the world around us. All three presentations are distinctly different; yet each one affects the other. All three presentations converge into a great recipe to create, re-create, improve, amend and make the person that is you. Most importantly… Each of these presentations directly affects your priorities and your propensities. So if you want to change your priorities, simply change your presentations. And if you really want to change your propensities (your habits), simply change your presentations. But, then again… Here’s the million-dollar question: How do you simply change your presentations? The million-dollar answer: Change your presentations by accepting reality. Ahhhh… but whose reality is more correct? After all, when discussing reality with family and friends, there are at least three ways to view life:
At any given time, these three points of view can be totally aligned or entirely misaligned. In other words, your perception can be the same (or different) as someone else’s perception. Adding complexity to the scenario: Your and someone else’s perceptions can also be the same or different than reality. And because of the vast differences in perception, your perceived reality might be closer to the Capital ‘T’ Truth; while another’s point of view might be more closely aligned with fantasy. Interestingly, all three perspectives are rarely in perfect alignment. And all three perspectives are rarely in direct contrast to each other. An excellent example can be seen in various aspects of life. Employers have numerous expectations for their employees. But some employee/employer relationships are doomed from the beginning, simply because the employee’s idea of a successful, productive workday is far different than the employer’s definition of a great workday. In this example, please note the two perspectives from which each person thinks. The Truth exists somewhere between their two beliefs. Likewise, the husband/wife, parent/child, teacher/student, and every other relationship dabbles a bit in the Truth, and a bit in the untruth. Perceptions and perspectives, however, in and of themselves, are not a true reality. In your mind, you may feel something to be true. But in reality, it’s all in your mind. Yes, the thought does exist in your mind; thus, the thought truly does exist. But to be a (Capital ‘T’) Truth, your perspective must incorporate more than mere feelings. Your perspective must also have context... In other words, how do YOU and your thoughts actually fit into OUR world? More specifically, to be a Capital ‘T’ Truth, your perspective must actually mirror reality... OUR reality! And reality, my friend, is made up of far more than just the things we merely see with our eyes. Reality is comprised of S.E.L.F. (Spiritual, Emotional, Logical, Finite). And our selves are ALWAYS changing. In fact, our grandest beauty is when we are in the midst of a transition. And remember: You are always in the midst of a transition! The question is: What are your two states of transition? From what condition are you transitioning? And, more importantly, to what condition are you currently headed? In the final analysis, YOU can change your reality. How? State your purpose... and get on it! Do it ON PURPOSE! Your mission for today: Accept the fact that we cannot live an ideal life until our presentations are aligned. Today, journal several ideas on what you can do to better align your three presentations:
In other words, review and discuss what you have to do to better align your presentations to ensure your foundation of S.E.L.F. is fully integrated. As an integrated S.E.L.F., you are stronger than almost any adverse scenario. As a fractured and misaligned S.E.L.F., your purpose awaits. As an integrated S.E.L.F., you are your purpose. However, you must first SEE what you are capable of. After all is said and done... PERSPECTIVE MATTERS! Aloha, John Forgive. Focus. Find. Accept. Adapt. Achieve. ®  John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist. Principal consultant at The PIE Group, and Executive Director of TeenBuilding USA, [a non-profit 501c(3)], John believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need. And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me). Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}. An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work! An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life, a teen-focused guide, Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens, and the Christian-based book, God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life. He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets. His trademarked phrase is a winner:  |
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