What you see as reality is not what I see. It is not just me or you.
It is everyone.
Everything you see, touch, smell, feel, hear or otherwise interact with is a construct and interpretation by your brain including the filters of your beliefs and world views.
The illusion of reality.
Once you understand this and that everyone sees and interprets the world differently it becomes a lot easier to get along with others, sell your products and services, and create a successful business.
I recently finished reading "Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah" by Richard Bach. I enjoyed the story, the banter of master and student, and the lessons you can take away.
And by the way, everything written here could be wrong.
Time is an Illusion
Time is a human construct that we have all (or most) agree to follow. Enough people observe it and agree how it works and we assume it to be true. But is it really?
Time has three components:
- The past -our memory and recorded record of what we think happened,
- The present – the fleeting now of what we think is happening,
- The future – a dream or anticipation of what we think is going to happen.
The future has not yet happened and might not. It is potentially influenced by what people want for their futures and what they do in the present.
The present is subject to interpretation. Two people can see the same event and interpret and remember it differently; often extremely so.
The past? Ever have a lively discussion about who did what a year ago with someone? Ever see witness statements from an accident 30 minutes ago? Recorded history can't be misinterpreted, tweaked or faked? Photoshop? CGI? History books? Say no more.
Money is an Illusion
Humans invented the concept of money. It is a pretty handy concept that removes the necessity of bartering. It works as long as we believe it has value.
If that belief is broken, money has no value at all. We've already seen examples of this.
Value and Profit
According to Harry Browne (The Secret of Selling Anything) people are already motivated to increase their happiness. When making a purchase they will determine if what they are getting brings more happiness or value than what they are giving up.
In a free market where both sides are free to choose, an exchange will only take place if both parties profit in some way.
Everyone sees value and profit differently and that is why it works.
If I have 100 cars and you have money, you profit by giving me money for one of my cars and I profit by getting the money and using it to get something else I want.
Understanding is an Illusion
So with all of these illusions of reality going on, how does one function and er, profit?
By making sure that your understanding of their understanding overlap enough that you can exchange value.
Huh?
You need to ask lots of questions and receive lots of confirmation that their motive for buying and your solutions match.
But after you think you have understanding and even agreement… realize that too is an illusion.
