2 Ways to think about how you make decisions.
Which Rose-Colored Glasses Are You Looking Through? Is it your perception or your perspective?
Perception is a slippery slope of an internal view colored by filters of our life experiences. Perception is the way we internally view things. Perception is a complex interplay of our internal view, shaped by the filters of our life experiences. It’s the unique way we see and interpret the world around us.
Perception is also the place where “limiting beliefs” exist. But that is another blog for another day.
Perspective, on the other hand, has everything to do with our view because of our location in the world and how we see our place in the world. On the other hand, perspective is closely tied to our geographical and emotional position, influencing how we perceive our surroundings and our role in them.
“It’s all perception” acknowledges that people approach a topic with their own biases, which heavily influence their understanding of it. This phrase suggests that personal biases play a significant role in shaping our understanding of a particular topic. The saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” vividly illustrates how our perceptions can differ, underscoring the subjective nature of perception.
Consider an antique: one person may see it as a thing of unparalleled beauty, while another may view it as nothing but a dust-collecting piece of junk. This sharp contrast between what is trash and what is treasure demonstrates how unique our internal perception is and reflects the individuality of each person. Once again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and each person decides what is and isn’t beautiful.
In every scenario, our physical and mental viewpoints are vital in shaping our comprehension. For instance, the various perspectives from which individuals observe a car accident may result in slightly varied interpretations. Thus, our physical and mental positioning significantly impacts our understanding of the unfolding events.
Here are two major influences on both perspective and perception:
Age: Younger individuals often perceive estate planning as something that can be put off to a later date. They believe that they have ample time to address it later in life, thinking, “I’m young, I can take care of it later.” This perception can lead to delays in creating an estate plan, which may result in missed opportunities to protect assets and secure the future. Younger individuals need to understand the significance of estate planning and take proactive steps to address it early on.
As individuals age, they often come to understand the significance of estate planning as they approach the later stages of life. Despite this realization, they might still perceive themselves as not being at an age where prioritizing estate planning is necessary, causing a hesitancy to address this important aspect of their future planning.
[TIP] Death knows no age. Legacy Estate planning should begin when someone is working or beginning their career, even if they don’t own a house or other major assets. The best estate plans include retirement and long-term care decisions.
Money: People who live paycheck to paycheck have a significantly different perspective on life and their situation compared to those who are more financially secure. While some individuals with limited financial resources may feel satisfied with their lives, others may experience feelings of anger, bitterness, and resentment. They may view money and those who have more of it as being associated with negativity and deceit, although this may not necessarily be the case.
It’s fascinating how the feeling of entitlement can permeate the attitudes of certain wealthy individuals. In some cases, these individuals may experience a reversal of fortune, leading them to adopt a victim mentality. This parallels the mindset often observed in less fortunate individuals, illustrating how the victim mentality is not confined to a specific socioeconomic group.
The possession of wealth significantly influences an individual’s perception and perspective. It impacts the neighborhood one selects to reside in, the size and style of their dwelling, as well as the vehicle they drive. Nevertheless, there are individuals with substantial wealth who lead unpretentious lives and drive older cars, while there are others who live beyond their means, residing in extravagant homes and driving cars that exceed their financial capabilities.
[TIP] Money is neither good nor evil. Money is simply a tool we use to live our lives. Pretending you have more than you do is dangerous and debt-enducing. You can’t take any of it with you.
Here are several other categories of influence to consider when comparing perception to perspective. There are many more. What additional categories can you think of?
- Family
- Birth Order
- Nationality
- Education
- Health Experiences
Our perceptions and perspectives never exist in isolation. They constantly interact and adjust to each other and the specific influences of life.
“How do you feel about your legacy and estate plan? Are you the type of person who says, ‘I’m too young and don’t have anything to plan for’? Do you approach estate affairs the same way your parents did? Or maybe you’re someone who acknowledges the importance but chooses to ignore it, hoping it will just go away.”
What is your perception and perspective about legacy estate planning?
I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message!
Dr. Judy
