Finding Our Blind Spots
I took my kids to their annual wellness check-ups yesterday. Considering blood draws and flu shots were involved, it was a train wreck. However, this won't be a rant on the futile attempts to get needles jammed into my kids' arms. It's what happened before the needle-stabbing incident that got me thinking.
We started with a simple eye test. You know the exercise. Cover one eye and read progressively shrinking lines of letters on the back wall. Pax was first up. He boldly and proudly read aloud each letter and finished with a big smile. Next, it was Finn's turn. As he read the letters, Pax, the doctor, and I all looked at each other in bewilderment. He didn't get a single one right. At first, I thought he was just clowning with us (which is totally a Finn thing to do). Then, he switched eyes and exclaimed, "Now, my good eye." Wait, what!?!? Good eye?!?! When I asked him what he meant, he responded, "This is my good eye, and this is my bad eye." Again, what!?!? He went on to nail every single letter on every single row. It was a humbling parenting moment, but up until today, I didn't know he had a "bad eye." Humbling....very humbling.
That brings me to the topic of blind spots. There are things in life we don't know. And the problem is, we don't know what we don't know. That's why they are blind spots. Turns out, one of my figurative blind spots is Finn's literal blind spot. Ouch. We have some work to do!
We all have blind spots, which can span many different areas of our lives. When sitting with a client, I can quickly pick up on their financial blind spots. Everyone has them, but there's one characteristic that determines what happens next: humility. If someone has humility, they can recognize, face head-on, and remedy their blind spots.....which often leads to some pretty transformational results. If they don't, they will most certainly carry their blind spot into the future.....which can lead to some dark places.
I used to have a blind spot with debt. My old way of thinking almost ruined my life. I used to have a blind spot with investing. My old way of thinking would have significantly hindered my progress. I used to have a blind spot with the connection between money and happiness. My old way of thinking likely would have led me down a dark and materialistic road.
I'm sure I still have plenty of blind spots, but I'm always willing to expose them and face them head-on....even if it hurts. It's uncomfortable in the moment, but we're so much better for it in the long run.
What are your blind spots? What areas of your life secretly hold you back from living a better life? Here's a scary but effective way to find out: Ask those closest to you...if you dare. They know. They know all too well......