Defy Labeling: Be Your Own Advisor
Sunday, May 16th, 2010A chandelier light fixture got its start as a simple way of increasing candle output. chandelier light fixtures were designed to spread the light of a candle in many directions. This was done by placing crystals in front of the flame. The crystals shimmered and refracted the light and sent it about the room often casting small rainbows as the crystal took on qualities of a prism. The chandelier was a utilitarian device, a slave of its owner. As lighting became electrified and abundant, the chandelier lost its function, but oddly increased its status. The tool became a symbol, and the symbol reflected not light but status. So it is with many things on this planet. The car was once simply a tool for transportation. Now it has become a way to measure another fiscal success. Clothes once simply kept us warm or shielded us from the elements. As civilization developed they became a way to determine rank and social value. Society loves its symbols as a way to label and understand the world around them.
It is in this easy labeling that the real value gets lost. A famous wine critic once set out a sampling of wines for people to taste. In the first tasting the wine and its price was known to the taster. The most expensive wines received the highest scores in the taste test. Then the critic brought in new tasters only this time miss matched the wines and the bottles. Now the wines that were incorrectly thought to be the most expensive received the best scores. Even a wine that nearly tasted like vinegar did above average. Finally, the critic set the wines out without any indication of label or cost and asked people to judge them. Henoticed two things immediately. First, people became much less certain and had to test the wines over and over again. Finally, when the judging was done he discovered that the assessment of the wines was very sophisticated. Some of the less expensive wines were in fact better than the expensive bottles.
With no clues, people were forced to trust their own instincts. The critic concluded that most people had a sophisticated palette but lacked confidence in themselves. Trusting oneself is a lesson that many people learn time and time again. They might have an feeling about something but trust the expert instead of themselves.
There are many stories of people getting into trouble because they didn’t trust the nagging feeling in their stomach. So many people who are struggling to keep their homes or who have already lost their homes mention that they had a nagging suspicion that something was off but they ignored their instincts and signed the papers. A lot of patients have said they knew the doctor was wrong but ignored their instincts.
Experts are there to provide information, skill and assist in making decisions. The problem is too many people abdicate their own responsibility in the decision making process. A doctor, consultant, or advisor prefers not to make a decision for someone else. Most people have good instincts but forget to use them. Listening to instinct is a skill worth developing.