How Do People Perceive You? (and why it matters)

HOW DO people perceive you and your business? In addition to what they see, what are they not seeing?

What could you do differently to showcase the bigger picture?

When I mentioned to a friend of a friend that March was one of my busiest months on record, she replied “I’m not surprised, there are a lot of messed up people out there.”

Do you perceive hypnotherapy or coaching as something that ‘messed up’ people need, but ‘the rest of us’ can disregard?

Would it surprise you to know that NONE of my clients create a bespoke programme with me because they are ‘messed up’?

They come to me because they know that they have only scratched the surface of their true potential. My clients recognise the value of an unbiased sounding board. They want fresh insight, a confidante with whom they can share their ponderings, and they want to take their personal and professional lives to the next level in a way that feels true to them.

None of them are ‘broken.’

None of them ‘need fixed.’

As human beings, we are wired for connection, and in a digital age the power of great company (that’s me!) a cup of tea, the flickering of fireside flames and a cosy armchair works wonders for the heart and soul.

My clients recognise that they are holding themselves back and are ready to explore and step into what’s possible.

I am all for supporting people to drop the bad habits that no longer serve them (smoking, alcohol, sugary snacks, obsessing about an ex, self-doubt, procrastination, social media, negative self-talk), and I’m cock-a-hoop when it comes to supporting people to build their business confidence, get visible, present with passion, sell with integrity and bounce back from hardship.

Unless you are professing to have qualifications or experience that you do not have, or are wearing a full-length Mac, a Stetson, a pair of mirrored sunglasses (and are creeping around in the shadows), you can forget about being an imposter.

The chances are that those doubts you have about not being good enough or being ‘found out’ (imposter syndrome), were unintentionally drip fed into your mind when you were a young child. They’re not even yours and unlikely to be evidenced in any way.

How amazing would your life be without the thoughts that keep you stuck?

What would change?

What would you love to have happen?

In my book, success means bringing your goals to reality with ease (and without sacrificing what really matters to you).

So, back to you, what perception do people have of your business?

Would it be wise to offer fresh insight?

Would you attract more of your ideal customers if you did?

Remember that perception is all there is; if you aren’t sharing the essence of what really you’re all about, people will make their own assumptions.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Come play on Facebook or ping me an email sophia@sophiahanson.com

This article first appeared in Executive Magazine in April 2023.