Are you a victim of yourself?
by Donald E. Hester
on Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Leadership
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Donald E. Hester
Husband, father, and adventurer. A computer science instructor who dabbles in t
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I have noticed that often people are their own worst enemies. People's lack of self awareness often leads to decisions that are detrimental to themselves. They don't realize that they, to some extent, have some control over their success or failure. I am not talking about 'name it and claim it' ideology. We don't control everything in our lives. However, it is true that showing up is half the game. If you know your dispositions you can overcome them. Like Sun Tzu, who taught us, that we must know ourselves and our enemies, not that that would always give us victory but to give us victory more often.
I know people who whenever there is a block in their path they through their hands up in failure. You will notice these people. Whenever someone has an idea, good or bad, they have the same response. "We can't do that because…" or "That won't work because…" Is that the end of the discussion? If it is you have a problem. The next question should be, 'what can we do to work around this obstacle'. That is solution oriented thinking.
What do you think of the word obstacle? Is it a barrier or an opportunity? How you define the word is an indication of the harm you may be bringing upon yourself. If you see barriers and you are aware that that is what you are doing you can start to make mental choices to avid old bad habits.
Are you aware of your thoughts, predispositions, values and beliefs? Are you aware of how they affect your actions and your probability of reaching your goals? Know yourself and you will increase your chances.