Do you know what a blind spot is? It’s an area around a car that the driver can’t see. Blind spots can be dangerous, but they can also be a great way to discover new things. Just perhaps not in your car…
In our lives, we also have blind spots. These are things we can’t see or understand about ourselves. But don’t worry, there are ways to discover your blind spots and unlock your hidden talents.
Here are three ways to explore your blind spots:
- Ask for feedback. Talk to your friends, family, or teachers and ask them what they think your strengths and weaknesses are. Their honest opinions can reveal things you might not have realised about yourself.
- Try new things. Step out of your comfort zone and explore different hobbies, sports, or artistic pursuits. By challenging yourself in unfamiliar areas, you’ll discover talents and interests you never knew existed.
- Embrace mistakes. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They are powerful opportunities for growth. When you stumble or fail, take a moment to reflect on what happened and what you could learn from it. Mistakes can reveal areas where you need improvement or skills you haven’t yet mastered.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. But you’re afraid that you’re not good enough, or that you’ll make a fool of yourself. So, you never try it.
But what if you asked your friends or family if they think you’d be good at playing the guitar? What if you tried taking a few lessons? What if you made a few mistakes along the way?
Honestly, your friends and family have no way of knowing if you’d be good at playing the guitar. That’s like the blind leading the blind. You don’t know and they sure don’t know. So if they don’t know they feel confronted by you taking some action and they’ll try to talk you out of it – you’ve highlighted their inaction. Instead, find a guitar teacher and get some coaching. They’ll be far more encouraging. You’ll be terrible at first – everyone is. Expect to be bad. Insist on being bad. Demand your bad! That’s how you learn. When you’re bad enough, long enough, you’ll get better.
Even if you didn’t end up becoming a master guitarist, you would still have learned something about yourself. You would have discovered that you’re willing to try new things, even if you’re scared. You would have learned that you’re capable of making mistakes and learning from them. And you might even have discovered that you have a hidden talent for music. And, secret bonus, you’ll suddenly have a new appreciation for the guitar masters and music in general. That’s the true win-win.
The most creative people – in any field – reinvent themselves continually. They’re not one-hit-wonders. It’s a critical component to your development as a creative person – in business or the arts – or anywhere. Find your inspiration, invention, and innovation.
So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring your blind spots today. You never know what amazing things you might discover. So, what is one new activity you’ve always wanted to try, and how do you think it could help you discover your blind spots? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Photo by christopher lemercier on Unsplash
