Reality Check, We All Have Blind Spots
Reality Check, We All Have Blind Spots
Reality Check, We All Have Blind Spots
I was talking to someone last week after a presentation, and she said, “All this leadership and communication stuff is great, but it doesn’t really apply to me. Everyone likes me.”
That may be true sister, but let’s face it, you don’t know what you don’t know. We all have blind spots. A blind spot is a part of our personality or behavior that we’re not aware of, yet others can see it. And regardless of our intelligence, emotional or otherwise, we all have them.
If you want to continue to grow, personally or professionally, it helps to become more self-aware.
If you’re ready for a reality check and want to uncover your blind spots, try these suggestions:
- You have to want to know what your blind spots are. If you’re not ready to uncover them, that’s ok. Ignorance is bliss and sometimes we’re not in a place to “work” on our own issues. Give yourself permission not to worry about it until it’s something you can really focus on.
- If you do seek feedback, be prepared to listen without getting defensive. Ask questions and make statements, but don’t attack and don’t defend.
- Ask the people who know you and care about you to be honest and give you constructive feedback. Giving feedback is a risk, so be grateful if people are willing to give it.
- Pick one area and focus on it. Behavior changes one of three ways: rarely, slowly, or never. Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. It will become overwhelming and nothing will change.
- Seek on-going feedback and make it safe for people to provide it. If you get defensive and argumentative, people will stop giving you feedback.
- Ask for positive, as well as constructive feedback. Ask others about your strengths and where they see you making progress.
- It’s a journey, not a destination. No matter how enlightened we are, we’ll always have some blind spots, and that’s ok. Continuously striving for progress is the goal.
How do you uncover your blind spots? Comment below!
Protect your peace.✌️
Do you remember the Speak & Spell? 🗣
I knew I was a nerd early on because this was one of my favorite toys. I can still remember sitting on the stairs at my grandmother’s house for hours, guessing letters and deciphering secret codes. I thought technology was cool, but never in my wildest dreams did I think someday there would be a tool that could have written this post in way less time than it took me.
AI might not seem like the obvious choice for building resilience, but it can be an incredible tool for building skills that support your mental health and well-being.
Here`s How:
Mindset Shifts: AI-powered apps can help you reframe your thoughts, providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques that challenge negative thinking patterns in real time.
Building Skills: Whether it’s developing mindfulness through guided meditation, breath work, or setting reminders to practice gratitude, AI can be a daily coach to help you monitor and shift your mood and provide instant support.
Resetting: Sometimes, all you need is a moment to breathe and reset. AI-driven tools like Calm or Headspace offer quick, on-demand breathing exercises and relaxation techniques that can help reset your nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and help you regain focus.
Building Social Connections: Social support is a key ingredient of resilience, and AI can help you foster these connections. By connecting with groups or communities with similar interests or challenges, AI can help you find support and connection.
Self-Reflection and Journaling: AI-powered journaling apps analyze your entries to identify patterns in your thoughts and emotions. This self-awareness is crucial for building resilience, allowing you to anticipate challenges and respond more effectively.
What are your favorite well-being apps? Tag them in the comments! 👇👇
Grow your attention muscle with mindfulness. 🙏
Studies show people who meditate in their 40s and 50s have the same grey matter density as people in their 20s and 30s. Grey matter density controls attention, focus, emotional regulation, and more.
Meditation is simple but difficult. Pick something to focus on (usually your breath, but it could be anything). When you get distracted, come back to whatever you’re focused on. The goal of meditation and mindfulness is to bring yourself back to the present moment. #mindfulmonday
If you haven’t heard me speak and would like to, or if you could use a little resilience boost, I hope you’ll join me LIVE next Thursday, November 21st, from 12:00-1:00 PM CST.
A huge gratitude shoutout to @culturatisummit for hosting! Register here! ⬇️
https://t.e2ma.net/click/z2p8gi/ndywtdvb/boenx2
Having friendships and a sense of belonging is considered a core psychological need and has a big impact on our physical and mental health.
In fact, it has been proven that social connection is one of the best predictors of longevity, which is why I`ve dedicated an entire module in the Resilience Reset Deep Dive to the importance of social connection to build resilience. Learn more 👉👉👉 https://www.annegradygroup.com/deepdive/
Here`s what my girls Wendy and Daisy have taught me about the importance of connection 🎥
You can’t be a source of strength for others when you are depleted. I recently heard someone say, “Self-care isn’t a bubble bath. It’s a boundary”. I love that. You don’t have to go to a spa (but if you do, please take me). Learn to say no. 🗣
Read Up on Resilience!
Anne’s Books Available on Amazon.com!
Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work and Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience and Triumph.
“You don’t know what you don’t know. That is a great statement.
Great advice!! Had to share some feedback with a friend over the weekend regarding how he communicates with another person who he’d been complaining about. It was a minefield, but went really well (and he already knew what I was saying was true, so that helped a lot), but when carefully worded, it can be great for everyone involved.
Hi Val! Sounds like you did your friend a huge favor, and props to you for taking the time and risk to provide feedback!
Wow. That’s great. I always say, “sometimes I may say things you may not like, so I apologize in advance, but if I hurt your feelings, let me know.” We all have people that like us, but those that don’t may never say it. I loved that statement ” you don’t know what you don’t know.” Thank you Anne! That was great.
Thanks, Juanita! I like the way you preface giving feedback. Great idea.