Aarti
In addition to endangering the driver, passengers, and other innocent bystanders, a motorist’s blind spots are a major source of horrifying near-misses and road danger. That’s why safety features like mirrors and sensors are so important; they let drivers see everything around them. Similarly, we all have blind spots in our marriages, our jobs, and in life in general.
If we haven’t noticed them yet, it’s likely because we haven’t recognized them. They can do a lot of damage even when we don’t notice them. In order to help you and your relationships, here are four strategies to recognize your own blind spots.
1. List your struggles.
Recognizing and accepting the difficulty of your recurring challenges is the first step. This calls for the courage to be completely honest with yourself regarding the answers to the tough questions you ask. Asking yourself what you would alter about yourself if you could change it all with a single snap is a good place to start. Get people to tell you what they would alter about you if they had the chance.
2. Identify common themes among your struggles.
The ability to recognize patterns is fundamental in solving mysteries, puzzles, and even everyday work problems. Our blind areas are not dissimilar. Regardless of where you are—at work, at home, or anywhere else—you may find that others are always furious with you. “Everyone around me is too sensitive.” That’s not an adequate reason to ignore this issue. There are hints in these patterns. Find out what kinds of problems you appear to have with the individuals around you on a regular basis. After that, you should consider how you contribute to it.
3. Ask others for feedback.
King David of ancient Israel was not the only one who sought God’s assistance in discovering who he was. If you want to improve as a parent, husband, or coworker, ask yourself, “What can I do to be a better dad?” or any number of similar questions to those you care about. or “What deficiencies do you perceive in me that hinder my growth as a person?” Naturally, being receptive to the responses is essential while asking such personal inquiries. Thus, be ready to listen to them without taking offense. “I will not attempt to defend or excuse myself.” is an additional pledge that may be necessary. I simply require the ability to perceive myself as you do.
4. Identify patterns in the insights, solicited and unsolicited, of others.
Additionally, clues might be found in unsolicited feedback from other people. Perhaps the reasons given by former employers for your dismissal were similar to those given by friends and family when they severed ties with you. Some of the things people have said about you may be more accurate than you realize. You should be open to that possibility. And if the opinions of those closest to you back it up, pay close attention to them.
