How to Handle Blind Spots
A few weeks ago, I was getting ready to head out the door to work. I followed my usual routine. Shower. Make-up. Breakfast (while hair begins to dry in my Turbie Twist). Hair.
Except this time, I was interrupted. I received a phone call and deviated from my standard routine. I had blown out the front and sides of my hair, but the phone call hijacked my normal order, and I completely left the back of my hair wet and stringy. My frizzy hair definitely needs a good blowout, or it looks like a bad perm!
So, there I was, about to walk out the door to see clients, when my husband stopped me. Thank goodness he stopped me! He wondered if I was about to leave with the back of my hair still wet. Oh. My. Goodness. I ran to the bathroom and pulled out my hand mirror to check. There it was. I could see the disaster-do in my blind spot.
That’s the problem with blind spots, isn’t it? We don’t see them. They are hidden away so well that we miss them completely. The problem is, others can see them with clarity. Not only do they see them, those close to us live in them.
Blind spots can sabotage our growth and our relationships, especially if we are unwilling to acknowledge their existence. Do your blind spots ever hold you back from growth or interfere with your relationships?
If so, remember these three pointers:
Be open to your blind spots.
We all have them, but most of us would like to believe we don’t. It is painful to learn how others experience us, to hear about the flaws we don’t see for ourselves. The irony is, the more we are open to feedback, the more attractive we become to others. Humility actually draws people to us.
Be humble about your blind spots.
Once we are able to receive constructive feedback, it is our responsibility to then spend time in self-reflection. Again, the thing about blind spots is . . . we are BLIND to them. We may not immediately understand the other’s critique because we are unaware of the way we appear to others. However, keeping our defenses low and considering someone else’s opinion will move us toward our best selves.
Be gracious to those who are willing to point out your blind spots.
It takes loads of courage for someone to step in and provide honest feedback. Very few people are willing to have a conversation in truth and love about potential areas of growth. Hopefully, you are surrounded by those who tell you of your blind spots for your growth and gain, not for selfish reasons. Run from the critical types who enjoy listing your flaws; they are usually unwilling to self-reflect on their own lack of awareness and are not truly concerned for your growth.
Growth can only happen when we are willing to move out of our comfort zone and see both our strengths and weaknesses. It is easier to focus on our strengths, but without being open to our weaknesses, we lose the opportunity to increase our impact in the world. Find those you can trust to speak the truth in love. We need more truth-tellers in the world.
You are amazing! Start living like it!
