Is the Perception of What You See Promoted Really the Reality?

Does what you perceive equal the reality? You and I are so bombarded with ads selling hair products, shoes, clothing, medicine, etc but do you find the perceived value of the product is equal to the reality or more than it or less than how you perceive it?

This article began from a section of Michael Levine’s book, Guerrilla PR 2.0. In the book Michael has a section about perception being reality.  He gives some really great examples about perception and how it can craft the overall idea of something being either good or bad.

Then I started thinking, does perception always equal the reality? My answer was no. But the operative word in the question is always. Some of the time the perceived value does equate to the actual value. Some of the time the perceived value is more and some of the time the perceived value is less than the reality.

My personal example:

I am a 36 year old Caucasian women (will be 37 on Tuesday) married to a 57 year old African American man. Now, the perception for some (including my family at first) may be of full of questions on how this marriage could be a good one for a few different reasons. Yes, we are different races and that has had its share of perceived responses. We are also 21 years a part and that has had its share of perceived responses.

However, I will tell you that our relationship the perceived value does NOT at all equal the reality. I will tell you being married to my husband Eddie is the best relationship I have ever had and probably will ever have. We have known each other for almost a decade. Been together for 7 of those years and we will celebrate our 4 year anniversary in a few weeks as well.

Now, had I allowed the perceived value or perception of what this relationship might look like to others and taint my own feelings and thoughts about him, I would never have the blessed life to experience the deep true sense of love and compassion I have with my husband.

And that is another thing; can you change the perception to a new reality?

At first my parents and other family members were not okay with this relationship because of their own perceived value they placed on it before meeting him. However, once they met him, they realized what a wonderful caring person he is and now my family embraces having him a part of the family.

So, have you experienced situations were the perception was not the reality, either good or bad?

I read another great blog post this morning that brought up a similar thought process from Gina Marks at TouchLifeSpirit with her blog post http://www.touchlifespirit.com/home/2008/8/27/thinking-outside-the-box.html.

Also, another friend of mine Katherine Reschke made this statement about perception, “Brain science explains how what we perceive becomes our reality. We have a filter that only allows through to our conscious brain that which accords with our world views. Thus if perceive, for example, that the world is hostile, we are going to interpret actions and body language as hostile and we are going to notice and remember hostile actions more than friendly gestures.”

And what does this all of this have to do with promotion – Well, is the perception of what you see promoted really the reality? I think most of the time it is, but sometimes it isn’t. And how do we get past the others who are putting something out there that isn’t a reality. I think we just need to continue to be ourselves and not try to be something we aren’t.

In my true example, the perception others had about our relationship is it can’t work and be successful. However, the reality is the complete opposite and when people see us together, it is clear to see because we are happy and you can’t fake true happiness for an extended period of time. Eddie and I don’t try to convince others to change their perception; we just continue to live our happy lives with each other.

So I would love to hear from others about perception and promotion? When you see something promoted, is it reality as you perceive it?

Teresa Morrow is on Board of Advisors with The WECAI Network ^TM (http://www.wecai.org) and Editor at Large at WE Magazine for Women ^TM (http://www.wemagazineforwomen). She has over 15 years working with various industries to include property management, landscape architecture and financial planning firms in executive administrative positions. In 2007, Teresa started Key Business Partners, a virtual assistance & online promotional company for coaches, speakers and writers. She cares about her clients and is available for 20 minute free consultation. You can contact her via email at keybusinesspartners@verizon.net or visit her website at http://www.keybusinesspartners.com.