Perceived Value vs. True Value: Breaking free from “perception prison” and aligning how you’re seen with who you truly are.

“People will naturally put you in what I call ‘perception prison.’ It’s a place they assign you, shaped by their experiences and their brain’s attempt to categorize and understand. Being placed in perception prison is not the problem. The problem begins when you start decorating it.”

We all share an innate desire for success and purpose. I’ve always believed that fulfillment comes from knowing we live a life that adds value—and that we are valued for the value we add.

Yet, our experiences, setbacks, and failures often antagonize us through silent narratives that attack our sense of self. These whispers can cause us to shrink back or even abandon our assignments. Still, deep inside most of us lives a lingering hope: that we can achieve something significant with the life we’ve been given and the hand we’ve been dealt.

The truth is—we are valuable, and we all have something valuable to add to the world. But value is not one-dimensional. It’s connected to assignment and capacity.

Too often, we adopt a marketplace mindset: believing our worth is only tied to what we produce, solve, or sell. Yes, in business, value is measured by what you bring to the table to solve a problem. But your inherent human value exists outside of that construct. And here’s the key—your personal essence directly fuels your marketplace value.

Your commitment to discovering and developing your essence overflows into the value you bring professionally. It’s like building a toolbox in your personal life that later serves your business and leadership. To deny this duality—personal and professional—is to dehumanize yourself and diminish the authenticity that makes your contribution powerful.

Along this journey, I’ve learned the difference between perceived value and actual value. People must first perceive your value before they can truly experience it. Their initial perception may later be confirmed—or challenged.

For me, one of the greatest hurdles has not been the actual value I provide, but the perception of it. Early in my career, I was categorized as a motivational speaker. While I honor and respect those who embrace that title, for me, it became a box. The marketplace heard my passion, energy, and focus on improvement and assumed that was the sum total of my identity. And because perception pays, I conformed. I fit the box. I accepted the checks, the chants, and the validation—yet deep inside, I was in conflict.

The conflict was simple: I had become what they perceived, not what I believed.

That realization forced me inward. I had to own the fact that people will always put me in “perception prison.” But the true danger is not being placed there—it’s decorating the walls.

So, here’s my encouragement: don’t shrink to the level of their perception of you. At the same time, don’t dismiss it entirely. Sometimes, perception holds truth that reveals where adjustments in messaging, development, or interactions are needed.

It’s not personal—it’s awareness. And awareness without blame can be the very catalyst for breakthrough.