Preconceived Notions

I had driven by a particular business for years, determining that the business did not have what I needed because of several different factors, one being location. Rookie mistake. You see, I was patronizing a similar business for years, but the time had come for me to change; that loyalty thing had run its course.

Many people I knew frequented the business that I avoided, but their accolades did not convince me to visit the business for myself.  I was completely convinced in my mind that I would not like the place.  Again, my preconceived notion was purely based on how the placed looked on the outside; I had never stepped foot into the business. Thus, I opted to try a different business altogether, even though the new place did not quite have what I wanted and needed.

I settled.  If you have ever settled for something even though you knew it was not quite the right fit, then I am confident you are able to relate.

An underlying chord of discontentment played in the recesses of mind, eventually leading me to discontinue visiting the new business altogether.

Finally, after one final encouragement from an individual, I recently decided to visit the avoided business. The moment I walked through the door, it was clear that the avoided business had what I needed.  In fact, the products were more advanced than the business I had been patronizing for years.

An opportunity had been delayed – literally for years – because of a preconceived notion…an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence (dictionary.com).  Do I (we) sometimes do the same thing to people?  I digress.

A similar incident occurred within a week, where I prejudged a business based on its historical name, yet it appears to be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Those preconceived notions will get us every time – whether such deals with a business, person, place or thing.

Thankfully I am now taking full advantage of what the business I avoided has to offer, and motivated to see beyond the book cover to read what is written; in other words – avoiding to judge a book by its cover, regardless if the book is representative of a business, person, place or thing.