There is a well-known game played on car trips. It is most often called “Slug bug” or “Punch buggy”. Regardless of the name, the game rewards those who see a VW Beetle (the “bug”) first. The first person to see the car in question can “slug” or “punch” the other person. (More details are here.) This game is more than an excuse to hit friends or family members in a car. It proves the power of perception.
If you drive very long in an area with at least moderate traffic, the statistical odds of crossing paths with a Beetle (or any relatively popular car) is relatively high. But unless you are playing this game, you likely won’t see or notice them. The thinking phenomenon this game illustrates is that we literally are more likely to see things when we are looking for them.
Our brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) acts as a filter between our conscious and subconscious minds. The subconscious “sees” everything, but our conscious minds can only handle so much stimulus or information at once. The RAS allows things through that we deem as important. Hence, the chance to “win”, or hit someone, makes the Beetle important – and so we see them. This brain function helps our thinking tremendously. Without this filter, our conscious mind would always be on overload and our focus (and more) would be greatly diminished. What we see is what we are looking for.
Our amazing brains can process what we believe is important. And the power of our perception is that – because of the RAS – we choose what to process by noticing what matters to us. If we perceive something as a threat (physically or otherwise), we want that to get through the filter so that we can respond.
But the power of perception that the RAS gives us is valuable beyond determining our fight or flight response.
- Do you see what people are doing well? (or just the mistakes)
- Do you see people’s concerns in a meeting? (or are you just listening to what they say)
- Do you see opportunities? (or notice challenges)
- Do you see potential? (or just the present)
- Is the glass half full? (or half empty)
I don’t need to give you fifty examples to make the point. What you believe in and believe to be valuable and valid are the things you will notice. And those inputs drive your perception. We use those inputs to make decisions and explain our world. But if we aren’t letting all (or the most helpful) information through the filter we can’t have the most powerful perception and insight.
Make sure you consciously open the filter on your RAS in new ways to both test your beliefs and become more perceptive.
Because we see what we are looking for.
What are you looking for?
Does that best serve you as a person and leader of others?
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