What’s keeping you from success?
In the late Kurt Vonnegut’s futuristic short story, “Harrison Bergeron,” the country in 2081 had worked so diligently to make everyone equal, deep thinkers wore government-programmed hearing aids that broadcast loud sounds periodically to prevent creative thinking…and those blessed with athletic ability were “equalized” with everyone else by being made to carry 47-lb. bags of birdshot around their necks.
Luckily, in today’s world, people with special skills and abilities are not “handicapped” by the government, but for many of us, there’s always that consistent limitation – that bag of birdshot we carry around with us — that keeps us from moving to the next level.
Of course, many people don’t have any idea about their personal stumbling blocks – which means if they can’t identify it, they can’t do anything about it. But, once they’ve identified what’s keeping them from moving ahead, they need to know what I call “the barrier fact sheet.”
- Everybody has at least one barrier…one deal-breaking hurdle. Some are simply not important – and some you can negate by hiring someone who will keep your barriers – like your penchant for disorganization under control. Others barriers – to self-confidence, self-control and the ability to foster meaningful relationships – may not be so easy to knock down.
- You can’t remove barriers you don’t or won’t recognize. Your barriers set your boundaries. They mark the bottom and the ceiling. We’re sometimes not willing to recognize these barriers – these handicaps – but we also tend to hang on to those that we really should let go of – like stubbornness or the inability to let go…of anything.
- Our barriers exist 24/7, not just in our business world. Notice when you don’t delegate certain chores because you think you can do them better than anyone else…or what about how you demand – rather than ask – that jobs get done…now!
- Our barriers can be helpful or harmful. Our behaviors – positive and negative – impact every part of our lives, but these constant behaviors cause problems only when they get between us and our goals. For example, a competitive spirit is beneficial in sports or team challenges…not so much in relationships or social settings.
- Those who live with the least barriers cross the finish line first! Look around you. It may not be the most talented or the hardest workers who win awards, recognition or promotions. It’s always those who live with the fewest barriers to success.
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Valarie
