Today I want to talk to you about something really important, something that is in your way and you may not even know it? Have you ever walked out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to your shoe, sat down and got something on your pants, or got your slip got caught in your dress? Oftentimes, it is the kindness of strangers, or the person who just can’t stand to see you continue to look like a fool, who stops you from walking around all day looking crazy. The problem that you are dealing with is this, you have some blind spots. It is something you can’t see, but it is obvious to everyone else around you. Although, I have picked some really entertaining examples, blind spots are not only embarrassing they are also costly. Blind spots happen in conversations, relationships, at work, and all over our lives.
If you are the kind of person who doesn’t like missing out on opportunities, you may be wondering what you can do to expose your blind spots to the light, so here are a few tips to remove the haze.
Find someone who will tell you the truth.
I have a coach, and I have a counselor because denial is real. You need people in your life, who will tell you the truth, especially when you don’t want to hear it. You also need people to help you uncover the real thoughts that are driving your actions. I can’t even tell you how many times I have been working with a client during their initial meeting, and we have uncovered things that have been going on for months if not years that have hurt their careers, or stopped them from being in healthy relationships. Your blind spots, can steal opportunities from you, often without you ever having a clue. Until you find someone, who will tell you the truth, who will worry less about your making you uncomfortable, and more about your gift and your opportunities you will never know what you could be leaving on the table!
Take some time for catharsis. Reflect and think about things before you do them and after they take place. Be mindful of the feelings that you have and don’t be afraid to ask yourself some hard questions. Why did I do that? How did I feel when I that happened? Did anything about that seem familiar? These are 3 great questions that can give you some incredible clarity. Journaling can also be a great way to get to the root of things.
Lastly, it’s not just knowing, it’s doing. When you uncover a blind spot in your life that has been causing you some pain, what are you going to do about it? Many of your blind spots have origins in your past fears and hurts. You have to decide what you will do now that you know this blind spot exists, and you have to be consciously aware of how easy it is to go into that same direction again so you can safeguard yourself in the future.
You don’t have to make the same mistakes over and over again, but that means that you must be willing to proactively approach your issues and address them whenever they come up. Take the time you need to uncover the real issues in your life and face them!
I love your posts- they are so insightful! My husband is my best friend, and I can always count on him to be honest with me, without being mean. If I didn’t have that honesty in my life, I wouldn’t be as driven as I am. So thankful for my hubby!.
Great advice! Yes, denial and blind spots are real. Great post!
I am one that really needs to think before I act… I can get myself into a lot of trouble when I don’t. Sometimes though… it is so hard to bite my tongue.
I had to smile at people walking out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to their shoe… been there done that!
This is really great advice! I consider myself lucky.. my hubby is one very honest person. Sometimes this can be a problem, lol… but for the most part it is really straight up!
P.S. it is totally embarrassing finding out you have TP on your shoe after an hour at a restaurant…
Yes, dealing with issues and healing is a constant process. But what remains is to step forward! Thanks for sharing!
dealing with the truth can set you in the right direction.
Love this post! Super advice!
I think that there are quite a few people out there that are willing to tell the truth, the problem is very few people want to hear it. 😉
Fantastic advice. I have one friend who I trust completely to tell me the truth even the most ugliest of truths and I thank her for it everyday.
One of the most important friends to have is the brutally honest one. Yes, sometimes it hurts but if they are also a supportive friend they’ll help you heal. I hold those people close for sure!
I feel like you wrote this directly to me even though we’ve never met. I love living in my little land of denial and then wonder why my problems don’t just go away on their own! Thank you for the poignant advice.
My dh is blind and I am the spotlight. Not always a welcomed one either. I am very aware and get very flustered if I miss something. I like for others to show me.
I’m glad I have good friends who will kindly tell me the truth!
It is hard to hear the truth sometimes, but it is what we often need. I know that I have learned the same lessons over and over. I guess I just don’t listen!
I absolutely agree with you. I am pretty in touch with my blind spots and deal with them as they come. My son and husband are the opposite. I am teaching them (by leading by example) on how to deal with the difficult painful things in life. This is a fantastic post!
I agree, denial is a huge part of our life and getting help is the first step towards health!
Great post! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
I know all too well about blind spots. That’s why I live by “I rather be hated for telling the truth, then hate for lying”
The truth hurts, but lies hurt more!
You have a great post here!!! =)