The Power of Perception: Be the Marcus in Your Story
Dr. Cherry Collier, MCC, CNLPMC, RCC, CPCC
CEO WhisperHer | Top LinkedIn Voice | Culture Strategist | Organizational Psychologist | Team Dynamics Scientist | C-Suite Coach | Trainer | Award-winning Author
by Dr. Cherry, Quite Contrary #ceowhisperher
Meet James: The Man Who Believed He Couldn’t Change
James was stuck. ?? His job was uninspiring, his relationships felt strained, and his bank account was always teetering on empty. Every time someone suggested he could improve his situation, James’s response was the same: “You can’t change overnight.” This belief wasn’t just a passing thought; it was deeply ingrained in his mindset.
James spent most of his time scrolling through social media ??, finding posts that confirmed his view that the world was unfair. He’d nod in agreement with articles about how success was all about luck—and he had none. ??? This confirmation bias—the tendency to focus only on information that supported his beliefs—kept him in a loop of negativity. He wasn’t just stuck; he was sinking deeper. ??
At work, James would mutter to himself, “Of course I didn’t get that promotion; they always pick favorites.” When he tried to start a side hustle, a single failure made him declare, “I knew this wasn’t for me.” The more he dwelled on his misfortunes, the more unlucky he felt. And the unluckier he felt, the less he tried. ??
Enter Marcus: The Man Who Decided to Change
Marcus wasn’t so different from James. He’d been stuck in a rut too—same dead-end job, same frustrations. ?? But one day, Marcus heard a podcast ??? featuring Dr. Richard Wiseman’s The Luck Factor. The idea that luck was something you could create rather than something you were born with intrigued him. ??
The podcast host discussed four principles that “lucky” people often followed:
Marcus decided to give it a shot. “What do I have to lose?” he thought. ??
Two Names, Two Paths
The names James and Marcus may sound ordinary, but they hold a deeper lesson. James, derived from the same root as “jammed,” symbolizes someone stuck in place. ?? Marcus, on the other hand, shares roots with the word “march,” representing movement, progress, and action. ??♂??? These names aren’t just labels—they’re metaphors for how we choose to live.
James stayed jammed, unwilling to move forward. Marcus decided to march, taking small but deliberate steps to change his life. ???
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Small Shifts, Big Changes
Marcus began with small steps. He made it a point to meet one new person every week, whether at a networking event or just chatting with a stranger at the coffee shop. ? Slowly, his world expanded. One day, a casual conversation with a barista led to a recommendation for a freelancing platform where Marcus started landing small gigs. ??
Instead of seeing setbacks as proof he wasn’t lucky, Marcus reframed them as opportunities to learn. ?? When his first client gave negative feedback, he asked for detailed suggestions and improved his work. The next client was so impressed they referred him to three others. ??
The Divergence
Meanwhile, James stayed in his cycle. ?? He dismissed Marcus’s progress as a fluke. “He just got lucky,” James told himself. But the truth was, Marcus wasn’t waiting for luck; he was creating it. ???
One day, their paths crossed again. James shared his frustrations, and Marcus listened. Then Marcus asked, “What if luck isn’t something you wait for? What if it’s something you build?” ??
James scoffed. “Easy for you to say. You’re successful now.” But deep down, he couldn’t deny the spark of curiosity Marcus’s words ignited. ?
The Call to Action: Be the Marcus in Your Story
James and Marcus began in the same place. The difference wasn’t in their circumstances but in their beliefs. Marcus’s decision to change his mindset—to focus on opportunities, reframe failures, and actively engage with life—transformed his trajectory. ?? James, on the other hand, let his confirmation bias keep him trapped. ??
Dr. Wiseman’s research shows that luck isn’t mystical; it’s behavioral. By changing how you perceive and act, you can shift your reality. ??
Will you stay jammed, like James? ? Or will you march forward, like Marcus? ? The choice is yours. Start small, take a step, and let your momentum carry you toward a life of opportunity. Be the Marcus in your story. ??