Driving your car on the freeway at 70 mph can become dangerous when another automobile sits in your blind spot. These blind zones obstruct your view. Many of us have almost changed lanes when, after taking a second glance, a vehicle seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Humans have blind spots too, although they tend to overlook them. Blind spots, undetected, cause individuals to replicate habits and behaviors that sabotage their success. Emily Pronin, a social psychologist from Princeton University’s Department of Psychology, created the term with colleagues Daniel Lin and Lee Ross.
An individual can have a blind spot in one or more areas of their life. They can be found in business, relationships, or in their personal lives. These are psychological blind spots which irritate and frustrate us when the same problems surface over and over again.
Having worked with hundreds to overcome their blind spots, I estimate that the damage caused by a psychological blind spot can sabotage an individual’s lasting happiness and success.
How can we detect a blind spot? Psychology Today has interesting information on this topic that coincides with what I have discovered in my coaching practice.
These are traits in our personalities that are obvious to everyone but ourselves. When you think of it, everyone we know, in all areas of our lives, is probably already aware of these mental obstructions, but don’t worry, they won’t tell you.
Blind spots cause limiting beliefs in many areas and can include:
- Beliefs about money.
- Career goals.
- Reactions to supervisors.
- Reactions to employees.
- Favoritism.
- Anger.
- Depression.
- Victim mentality.
- Procrastination.
The list can go on and on. How can you find out if you have a blind spot? Here are three signs that can give you a good idea that a blind spot is lurking.
Blind Spot No. 1
You have a strong dislike for someone in your office for no apparent reason and you don’t know why. Here is a good example.
According to Bill, “I can’t stand it when my manager talks because she drones on and on. I try to avoid her at all costs.” There was a cost for Bill because sometimes he needed information from his manager that would help him to avoid mistakes. Yet, for no apparent reason, he hated to hear her voice.
This problem almost caused Bill to lose his job, so he sought help. He finally realized that the squeaky voice of his manager reminded him of an older sister he had as a small boy who was very cruel to him. Once he became aware of this, Bill was able to correct his behavior.
It is safe to say that if you have a strong reaction or aversion to someone for no apparent reason, you have a blind spot.
Blind Spot No. 2
You keep running into the same kind of difficult person no matter where you go.
“I don’t know why I always get the same controlling boss.” Tessa had changed jobs three times in the last five years. “Why are these types of people always promoted to a position of power?”
When your problem follows you, there is a good chance that you have a blind spot.
Edgar had the same problems with every secretary he hired. When I asked him, “Doesn’t it seem strange that you hire the same secretary over and over again?”
Ed was not willing to take any responsibility for his decision to hire similar secretaries. It is interesting to note that he had been married three times to the same kind of materialistic women. Everyone else sees Edgar’s blind spot but him. Until he takes the time to discover the root of his problem, he will continue to experience this frustration in both his law practice and his personal life.
Blind Spot No. 3
You allow your personal biases, or blind spots, to influence your treatment of staff. These biases or preferences have nothing to do with staff performance.
Elizabeth is a slender, high-powered partner, who hated to eat. She perfunctorily rushed through three meals per day to give her energy. Elizabeth pushed herself to maintain a fast-paced and demanding career. She believed that anyone who didn’t eat lunch at his or her desk like she did was a slacker.
It is worthy to note that her employees, who emulated her behavior and ate lunch at their desks, received higher performance reviews. Over time, all of her employees adopted an eat-at-your-desk mentality for the sake of staying on the good side of their manager.
Elizabeth didn’t know that she had this biased opinion until it was pointed out to her. When she was diagnosed with ulcers, it forced her to get away from the office and eat a balanced lunch each day. Elizabeth finally realized how much this blind spot had affected not only herself but also her employees.
The Importance of Identifying Your Blind Spots
These are a few of the blind spots that are self-sabotaging mechanisms. If you find yourself not “making it” despite dressing the part, acting the part, yet something seems to stop your success, you may have some of these mental blocks.
Just like driving your, you much be aware of the blind spots that can cause disaster. If you find yourself constantly frustrated, irritated or annoyed at work, you might benefit from looking for your own blind spots. Here is a link in Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/you-according-them/201308/our-seductive-blind-spots
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