Seeing things differently
— Do you know the area? the client asked.
— It’s the place with the piano, right?
— I don’t know anything about a piano.
This conversation took place earlier today. I’d called to let the client know I was on my way.
When he asked if I’d been in the neighborhood before, the image of an old piano in a park popped up. Clearly, I’d mixed it up with another place, since the person living there had no idea what I was talking about.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the address — right after passing that very same piano. The client had never seen it, even though it was just around the corner.
It might, of course, be a case of “home blindness”. But I don’t think that’s the real reason. And it’s not that I was born with a rare gift for spotting pianos in parks.
I think it’s because we, as individuals, focus on different things. I see a piano. Someone else is absorbed by the sound of birds singing. Another person’s mind is busy planning a meeting.
We’re all different. It’s a beautiful thing.
It’s also good to remember when someone has a completely different opinion or view of something that’s happened. It’s true to them.
Often, it’s not so much about “right” or “wrong”. It’s about perception and personality. It’s about background and beliefs.
We might not agree, but that doesn’t mean we have to be disagreeable.
