Once You See It
Do you recognize this logo? Of course, it's the KFC logo! Most of us grew up with this logo in our lives, and its tasty fried chicken in our bellies. It's one of the most recognizable brands and logos in American culture. However, a few years ago, someone told me something that would forever change my life (ok, that's a bit of an over exaggeration). Are you ready for it? Ready for me to rock your world? Colonel Sanders's bow tie isn't a bow tie, but a little stick figure with arms and legs. Can you see it? No, the more important question is if you can unsee it. After spending my entire life knowing it's a bow tie, all I can see now is a big mellon on a tiny little stick body. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
This same concept applies to many financial concepts in our lives. We spend our entire lives believing something is one way, until we see it differently. Then once we do, we can never go back to seeing it the old way.
After being vehemently against budgeting for nearly two decades, one of my clients recently stated they can't image living another month without one.
Another client has lived his entire life believing the stock market is risky. After learning the truth, he now views the stock market as a long-term no-brainer with practically zero risk of long-term loss.
Many clients were raised to believe debt is just a fact of life.....until a different, healthier, and better reality is presented to them.
Most people perceive student loans as an inevitable and necessary evil if they send their kids to college. However, once I walk them through a different perspective and show it to them visually, it revolutionizes their prospective reality.
I could list a few dozen more examples, but I don't want to beat a dead horse. The fun part about this once-you-see-it concept is that it doesn't require magic or much work to make it happen. Take the KFC logo, for instance. All I did was share an idea, and all you did was digest the idea. Then boom (!!!), Colonel Sanders will forever be a big ol' head on a tiny stick body.
Just think of the possibilities, then. We're only limited by our willingness and desire to be curious. Curious people experience life change. Non-curious people find excuses. This is one of the primary reasons I write this blog each day. If I can share an interesting idea with just one curious person, the potential for change is on the table.
As you go about your day today, ask yourself what tightly-held ideas you need to get curious about. Your curiosity may affirm the perspective you already hold. However, it may unlock an entirely new perspective. Once you see it......