The importance of self-perception

There is a famous quote that goes: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right.”
This emphasizes the importance of self-perception. Those who are wealthy today, actually knew before they were wealthy that they would be wealthy. Those who are poor usually confess each day that they are poor. Clearly what we tell ourselves about ourselves is more important that what others tell us about ourselves.

Self-perception is influenced but what we believe about ourselves. I remember a true story a friend of mine, Mr X, told me the other day. It is about Mr X’s PA and how much she thought she deserved or did not deserve for her salary. Mr X’s PA, Ms B, once worked for Mr X’s friend until Mr X friend got liquidated and closed shop. Mr X, having known how good a PA Ms B was, he offered Ms B a job and quoted her the salary she would earn working for him. Ms B said she wanted a job but she could not take it because she cannot work for ‘such a lot of money’.

This might be surprising to some of us, but Ms B has never imagined herself earning the amount she was being offered, she did not think she deserved same. Her self perception was not in alignment the perception of others about her. She eventually accepted the lesser offer and is currently working for Mr X.

How much and how often do we compromise unnecessarily because of our negative self perception? Think highly of yourself and others would likely do the same. Negative self perception is not good for anyone.

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