Line BreakAuthor: Steven Aitchison (433 Articles)
I am the owner of this blog and write about personal development with my passions being belief formation, thoughts, perceptions and emotions. You can get my FREE video course to help Change Your Life at www.AlterYourJacket.com
There are lots of different ways we can change our lives, but one of the fundamental ways is to change our perceptions: of the world we live in and of ourselves. If we concede the fact that everybody has a different perception of the world then we have to concede the fact that we are able to change our perception of the world, which basically means we can change our life.
This video is a brief look at perception and what it means in our daily life. In the video I speak about being manipulated but I don’t mean it in a malicious way, I mean it as a matter of fact kind of way, so if you have any questions about that please let me know.
If you have any questions in general about the video and it’s contents please leave a comment below and we can get a conversation going.
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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Steve, I love these talks! Actually, I have a question.
Did you ever think about stripping the audio from these and delivering them as podcasts, in iTunes or something? I would love to be able to listen to them on my commute or when I’m walking. Just a thought… I would definitely subscribe!
Cheers,
Miche
Miche | Serenity Hacker´s last blog ..7 Ways to Strengthen Relationships by Creating Lasting Memories
Hi Miche, I hadn’t actually thought about that, would they not be too short for a podcast?
Thanks for getting me thinking about this and for your comments.
Hi Steven, I don’t think they’d be too short at all. About half of the audio podcasts I subscribe to have 5 minute episodes… brief talks on ideas or concepts.
Thanks Miche, you’re a star , I will look into this over the coming week.
Hi Steven,
Great video and message!
Even though I walked away from the legal profession, one of the blessings of that education was learning that twenty people can view the same incident and there will be twenty different perceptions as to what happened. And each of those perceptions will be correct.
What is also beautiful is that in each perception there is something to be learned. Even someone who has a perception that is rooted in hate can be a teacher.
Thank you so much for the video and for being genuine. Hope all is awesome!
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..Accessing The Yoda That Lives Within You
Hi Nadia, on my first take for this video I mentioned that if 10 people witnessed an accident there would be 10 different versions of how the accident happened and that each person would be correct – So it totally get where you’re coming from.
Life is amazing and I hope you are living amazing as well?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Excellent video Steve, and on one of my favorite subjects to boot.
This really hits at the heart of our ability to change our own reality. To us as individuals, almost everything in our world is subjective. We filter all input through our perception, which is strongly influenced by our beliefs. Everything is shaded differently by each individual because of these factors. Loved this video!
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..How to Master Any Skill Right from the Start
Thanks Jonathan, I knew you would like the subject. It really took a long time for me to realise that one truth: that everybody sees the world differently and that if one person can see it in a positive way then it must be replicable, we just have to figure out beliefs and thoughts of that person – what an amazing life we lead
So right Steve, that’s where modeling comes in. If we can duplicate the patterns (thoughts, physiology, beliefs, etc.) of someone who is producing the results we want, we can also create similar results. But to do this, we often need to override our own perception and beliefs because they can easily get in our way. I got into NLP several decades ago and it really help me sort through some of this stuff early on.
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..How to Master Any Skill Right from the Start
Hi Steven,
Your video about perception made me think of a book by my literary mentor, Jorge Luis Borges : The Book of Imaginary Beings. He tells us that there is a reason why the tales and myths of humanity are full of unicorns, harpies, elves and the like.
While these beings are IMPOSSIBLE, they give us a sense of wonder which helps make our life POSSIBLE : they help us perceive that « life » goes beyond mere « existence » ; that life is imagination, vision, creativity ; that we have the resources, talents to break new grounds and make the impossible possible (after all WE invented the unicorn).
We just need to perceive ourselves first as inventive, ingenious, fertile beings and not as beasts of burden struggling with the ups and downs of everyday existence.
Tessa – I loved this and will get a copy of the book you spoke about, it sounds intriguing – thanks for that.
Hi Steven:
Great video and great and insightful topic. You are so right that everyone will perceive things in their own way. It really is an amazing reality.
I thought your comment about people being able to choose their life and shape their reality was poignant. It is easy to underestimate the actual impact we are able to have when it comes to creating our life, but once we really do understand that we can shape and mold it in the way we desire, everything really does begin to unfold.
The videos are getting really good. I am really enjoying them.
alternaview – Sibyl´s last blog ..One of the Best Ways to Deal with Difficult People…And get what you need
Thanks for your comments Sibyl. Isn’t it amazing that it takes a leap of thinking for people to realise that one truth, but once we understand it we can change our life for the better.
Thanks for the comments on the video too, I am beginning to enjoy doing them, not so self conscious
Steve,
Great video – I like the analogy with the “Neo moment.” Everyone is trying to tell us what to do, what to buy, and who to be and until we step back and consider what we’d like to actually accomplish with our lives. I’m trying to become an internet entrepreneur and shark photographer which most people in society wouldn’t relate to very well…
Appreciate the video, great thoughts. When did you have your Neo moment?
Ryan @ Planting Dollars´s last blog ..Hiking Diamond Head and Snorkeling In Waikiki
Hi Ryan. A shark photographer – I love it, that’s definitely a niche market – Set up a blog with your experiences of diving, add photos and videos and your site would attract thousands of readers without having to do much promotion.
My Neo moment came about 20 years ago and it has slowly progressed from there. How about you?
My dad worked night shift at a paper mill while I was growing up and I saw him build a real estate portfolio from scratch while working full time which allowed him to eventually quit his job. Now he’s semi retired and has more than enough time to do whatever he wants… I suppose learning from him my whole childhood was my Neo moment. My mom got to stay home with us and I was never exposed to the normal dual income parents scenario. From that angle maybe I was already born in Xion? lol
Funny that you mention shark diving as a niche since I’m going to really try to mesh it with my site… I think you’re right… it’s kinda something hard to forget and separates one from the pack…. writing a post about it today actually.
B.T.W. I don’t think you should be self conscious about the videos at all, I think they’re great.
Ryan Schmitz´s last blog ..Hiking Diamond Head and Snorkeling In Waikiki
Ryan, that’s what I was talking about as well. When I said in the video we are being manipulated it can be in a positive way as well. Your dad manipulated your thinking for the good and you have grown up with, hopefully, an abundance attitude to life.
Will check out your site for the shark post. I think there is a huge potential there Ryan, I would go with it, you could be the next Jacques Cousteau
: thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it.
Hi Steven, really nice video that you’ve put up here. I like what you said in the beginning where there are more than six and a half billion perceptions in the world. I think this is totally true – no one perception is the same as another. That’s why we should always try to step outside of what we perceive as “right” and see what we can learn from others, so we can incorporate their views with ours in order to give us a more broad perception of life.
Hulbert´s last blog ..Do Your Blogging Struggles Still Bother You?
Hi Hulbert, thanks for your thoughts on this. I think that’s sometimes why we get stuck in life: we can’t see life from anothers point of view, but when we do then change really happens.
Great video Steven. Thank you
You’re completely right that you can change your percepts on life – all you have to do is make the choice to change them and see the world in a different way
That’s exactly right Ben, you have to make the conscious choice to change your perceptions, only then can you move on.
Hey Steven!
Really cool video, I always find that videos give a much better connection to the blogger. I have always believed that your perception or reality is your reality. That is exactly why people who see the world as a place of scarcity and full of problems are very likely to lead a mediocre life, struggling to find the things they love.
By changing your perception and outlook of life, I believe that your life will take the shape of your perception. If you think the world is a place of abundance (there are enough jobs, enough people who can be your friend, enough girls to date etc) then it is likely that your life will be pretty awesome and you will always have the things you want.
Have a great day!
Diggy
Diggy´s last blog ..90 Day Health & Fitness Challenge – Who Is With Me?
Thanks for your comments Diggy, I totally agree with what you’re saying. I don’t think it’s just positive thinking, it’s more hardwired into the brain. Admittedly sometimes the wires come loose but they’re easily fixed again.
Steven — Great point! Always agreed that perception is reality and everyone has their own. Never pushed it to this level: If everyone has a different perception than it’s possible to change yours. I’ll have to think about that and apply to various areas of my life that have proven somewhat difficult lately. Thanks for the insight.
Maggie Mae´s last blog ..Under The Influence of a Diagnosis
Hi Maggie, thanks for your comments I appreciate them. Be good to know how you get on with applying this
My dear Steve,
This brilliant!!! I sooooo relate to it. What you describe here is much of what happened to me in the rainforest. I shed tons of conditioned or, as you say, “manipulated” perceptions, which allowed me to then CHOOSE what perceptions or perspective I wanted to take on in any given moment. Surprisingly I found I had very few “fixed” perceptions once I’d shed the manipulations. So thereafter, taking on or forming a perception was something that happened moment to moment, afresh with each new situation. SO in essence each perception or response was tailored ONLY to the immediate situation. I no longer had so many blanket or across the board perceptions.
I am just loving your videos. You are so innately wise. I’m very proud of you. This video resonated deeply with me. I’m sending you a hug, Robin
Hi Robin, that’s a great illustration of what I was saying, thank you so much for your input. It’s fascinating that you said you had few fixed perceptions, again it shows that perceptions are learned.
Thanks for your kind words as always Robin, you’re an angel.
Again, I love your videos, Steven. I can really see the deep passion for the topic you are talking about and it is great. We truly can change our perceptions and change our lives as a result. All we really have to do is stop and ask-what perceptions are not serving me? How can I change them? What would people who reached the goals that I want to reach think in this situation? And listen to the answers. That’s what conscious living is all about.
Lana – Dreamfollowers Blog´s last blog ..you won’t love THERE if you don’t love HERE first
Hi Lana, thanks for your kinds words I appreciate them. It’s amazing that a simple question such as ‘what perceptions are not serving me?’ can change so much in our life – great insight.
Hi Steven – I’m always delighted by how effortlessly most people can expand their perceptions when asked to consider them for a moment. I often use brainstorming with perceptions, not so much the big life possibility perceptions, but smaller perceptions, like: I’m going through a challenging transition, or I don’t have enough time for myself. Within minutes people can usually identify three or four perceptions that are more life enhancing. It’s great, and a great topic too. Thanks!
Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Meaning Mondays: The Clouds Edition
Hi Patty, so true. I think it’s what a few people have been saying here: just being conscious of our perceptions can help to change them. I love this topic as well, it’s got a lot of meat in it
Hi Steven -
A really fascinating video. It is a fundamental point that we all perceive the world differently. I recently read that even our video and audio input is delayed by up to half a second in our brain, which then compensates to try and create a reality. So what we think is happening right now is actually already the past. Understanding this can help us to deal with the world and the people around us more compassionately and intelligently – we have a choice how to create our reality through our perceptions. Keep up the great work and the fascinating viewpoints.
Phil
Phil Bolton´s last blog ..Viktor Frankl – Lessons from a Concentration Camp
Hi Steven,
Thanks for putting this video together. You made some valid points on how people view things differently and how we consume information and perceive. I would have to agree that our perceptions are manipulated constantly everyday from subliminal messages and other persuasive factors.
As for me, I changed my perception when I started to observed people that I worked with. Many of them have been working for 20+ years and doing the same thing over and over. It wasn’t for me. Anyhow, I’am just digressing.
When did you started to change your perception or how you started to see things differently?
Cheers,
-Brian
Brian´s last blog ..10 Remarkable Differences between Procrastinators and Go-Getters – Which Side Are You On?
Hi Brian, thanks for stopping by and taking time to leave a comment.
My perceptions changed quite drastically when I was around 20/21. I have also observed that people perceive their world as working for 45 years, get pensioned off and the sit back and enjoy life. Our bodies are not as fit as they had been so we can no longer do the things we really want to do, our minds are not quite as sharp, we now only have a pension or some savings so we have to be careful – it’s not the way life should be.
I have met people who have brilliant ideas for a business, they’ve had more than enough money to keep themselves for a few years, should things go wrong, but they are frightened to leave the workplace because the pension benefits are too good – it’s crazy. Needless to say I left a high paying job which I hated to a much lower paying job which I liked. Now I want to leave the job I like and do something I love – it’s all a transition.
Good to have you here Brian and hopefully will see you back soon.
Steven,
Oh so true. I just got stuck in a perception and my daughter helped me out of it or to see it differently. It’s exactly what Robin describes…I had a “fixed” perception. I need to take her attitude of a “moment to moment” perception.
Thanks for bringing this topic up. For me I think I know it but my ego or smaller self gets in my way and I become limited again!
One more thing…this is exactly why parents need to monitor children’s TV, Internet and games. Kids don’t know they’re being manipulated. Someone has to protect them.
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Amount Of Time Lived In Happiness & Joy
Hi Tess, that’s a great way to describe the ego – ‘Smaller self’. You’re right about kids TV and games being monitored but we have to remember to take ourselves out of the loop and think what is really best for kids today.
Steven,
Great video and message. Perception is the fork in the road that will take you exactly where it is you think you should be going. We often forget that WE get to choose our own road, and that our very thoughts about who it is we really think ourselves to be are based upon our perceptions of ourselves. Since they’re our perceptions, we get to change them if we only allow ourselves to do so.
Glad I discovered your work!
Peter
Peter, that’s a great comment. We do forget that there is a choice and if we make the choice our own then we own it so much more and take responsibility for it, whereas now we have relinquished control to others, to a degree.
They may take our lives, but they will never take our FREEDOM!
Hi Steven,
I have found that after going through extreme grief ( losing 8 close loved ones in a time frame 6 months) I found that my entire perception radically has changed. Things I once held as absolute I discovered weren’t really so. Of course there are things that I still consider absolute but other things I have reevaluated. Going through all the grief that I’ve gone through has allowed me to rediscover who I am in a deeper and stronger way.
I really loved the video you made. It gives such a better idea of who you are. Written text doesn’t quite convey all that a video can. Keep them coming
All the best,
Eren
Eren Mckay´s last blog ..How to deal with grief and loss
Eren, I can’t begin to imagine what you went through losing so many loved ones in such a short space of time, but I can imagine that you would do some serious re-evaluation and that your perceptions on life would change automatically.
Thanks for your kind words I really do appreciate them.
Steven Aitchison´s last blog ..What Body Boarding in Hawaii Taught me About Life
Hi Steve,
Great video, my top hit article is perception vs reality and it’s a fascinating topic. I’m going to add this as an extra resource at the bottom of the article.
Great work.
Thanks Amit, appreciate your comments and your linking this article.
Steven Aitchison´s last blog ..What Body Boarding in Hawaii Taught me About Life
Nice video. Perception is very important – social conditioning is one of the things I dislike greatly. Freedom of thought it’s as easy as people think.
Craig Thomas´s last blog ..5 Interesting Ways to Improve Your Health and Happiness
Hi Craig, thanks for your comments I appreciate them.
Steven Aitchison´s last blog ..What Body Boarding in Hawaii Taught me About Life
Steve,
Great topic – in fact I am writing a book on this very thing right now.
I would add that in addition to accepting that all of our perceptions of the world are different I would add that we also need to accept that *everybody’s* view of the world is equally valid *for them.*
It does us no good to accept that other people view the world differently if we are still convinced that our view is the only valid one.
Good stuff!
Chris
Chris Akins´s last blog ..5 ways to make your thoughts more positive and change your world
Hi Chris, I totally agree with you, we have to accept that as a basic fact, but we also resign ourselves to having common ground and it’s from the common ground we learn to work together whilst acknowledging we are different in some way.
This is so true. The problem is that so many people are convinced that their perception is THE reality. In their minds, the way that they see the world is the right way… the only way. But change is possible. An improved life experience is possible. We simply must open our minds to it.
Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..How to Be Selfish…In a Good Way
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