Perception vs. Reality
In today’s day and age, it can be incredibly confusing to figure out what’s truly real and what’s been manually created. Online, someone may appear to be on top of the world because of the image they portray, when in reality they might be struggling severely and feeling alone. You would never know, though, because most of us are so concerned with our “perfect” image that we post what we think people want to see, not what’s actually happening.
I’ve noticed on many online profiles for business owners that they list their title as CEO, CFO, or President when in fact they’re the only employee. Why not build your business by sharing the truth, being real, being authentic, and being honest? Recently, I read an article about authors rigging Amazon so they can call themselves an “award winning author” when they’ve never won an award at all. Rather, they had a bunch of friends to buy their books at the same time for $0.99.
I was taken aback by this act of dishonesty and feel it gives an unfair advantage to others who are just starting out. It also doesn’t demonstrate to the next generation the reality of starting your own business, which is the fact that success doesn’t happen overnight. Realistically, success can and most likely will happen by sticking to and staying focused on our business which takes time, rejection, commitment, and consistency to realize your dream.
Be sure that whatever you’re posting is true and helpful, not just smoke and mirrors. We have a duty to the next generation to help prepare them for success, which we can’t accomplish if their leaders and mentors are leading them astray. With today’s fast pace we already have plenty of fake news, fake eyelashes, fake awards, fake companies, and more. It’s time to be real and share our truths!
With the amount of editing we do to our lives, it can be easy to slip into believing the images we’ve created instead of the realities we’re living. Some say perception is reality, and in some ways, it is. However, I ask you as leaders and influencers to please take a moment before posting online to consider if what you’re putting out there is true, helpful, fair, and concerned with promoting good will and good intentions.
What does living your exceptional life look like to you?
Can you tell the difference between perception vs. reality on social media? How?
In your own life, can you tell the difference between true reality and what you’re projecting as reality?
What is something you’ve seen online that you thought was reality but turned out to be altered or fake?
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