More Than Meets The Eye
Posted by heatherrast on January 26th, 2010There’s More To The Story, If You Care To Look.
As disorganized as some people are, as seemingly random and unintentional as some of our choices may be, our minds inherently operate mostly linearly. We make quick assessments based on first impressions and related experiences.
Another way of putting it is that we’re most comfortable sorting the people and pieces of our lives into similar profiles. And once they’ve been placed and new (often validating, sometimes self-selected affirmation) bits of data layered on top, it’s difficult if not impossible to reassociate them. They’re stuck. They’ve been labeled. Same thing happens with brands (after all, those that matter to us have an emotion-based appeal, just like people and the ‘things’ in our lives).
Trouble is, sometimes we do the sorting when we’re having an off day. Or without all the important information. We make choices and set predictive patterns sometimes based on a flawed observation or misunderstanding. Not only do we miss out, but remember all that stuff you’re read about personal endorsements and peer reviews and such? Well our screw-ups can actually mean someone else misses out, too.
The lesson here is three-fold:
- Think before you speak. That extra moment may be all you need to see clearly and without prejudice. Leave the raised eyebrows and pursed lips out of your voice.
- Speak the facts, not the drama. If you’re fortunate enough to have people who value your opinion, they’ll think more of you for being circumspect. For pointing the direction without navigating turn-by-turn.
- Be receptive to conflicting opinions. Be self-aware enough to process that your position may not be solid.
