I See You, Blind Spot!

In the 1987 classic movie The Princess Bride, there’s a scene with a powerful display of compassion in which a lowly acolyte, Inigo Montoya, attempts to elevate his villainous boss by making him aware that he might be misusing the word: ‘Inconceivable.’  In a calm, non-judgmental way, Inigo informs him: “You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means.”  It is my belief that Inigo wanted to leave his boss better off.  And he did.

It is with that same non-judgmental intention that I come to you now.  It’s about the term: ‘Blind Spot.’  You keep using that term; I think you might be using it in a way that hinders you.  I hear the term frequently: “that’s a blind spot for me.”  It sometimes serves as a hall pass to explain an absence of empathy, a lack of supporting data, or some other gap in skills or behavior.  It is sometimes offered in a shrugged tone of ‘that’s just who I am’ acceptance.

Once a blind spot is brought into view, isn’t it then an observed spot?  If you are aware of it, you are no longer blind to it.  In the blink of an eye, this ‘locked door’ of a blind spot has transformed into a spot of potential.  It’s there for you.

In his book, Learned Optimism, Dr. Martin Seligman aggregates years of studies that prove overwhelmingly that our Explanatory Style – the way we explain the world to ourselves – is extremely consequential in the attainment of our goals.  Calling it a blind spot further convinces you that it’s not accessible to you; you can’t even see it.  Referring to it as potential, transforms it into a possibility.

The first step in any change process is creating awareness – simply noticing it.  Nothing more. Easy-peasy.  This is my simple request:  please consider if your use of the term ‘blind spot’ might be obscuring your untapped potential.  If so, see it for what it is: a choice that is there for you when you are ready; yours to do with As You Wish.