Our Biggest Obstacle Each of Us Face this Year

“People are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves.  They therefore remain bound.”  James Allen

There are very few people I know who wouldn’t like to improve their circumstance this year and the best way to do that is by focusing on ourselves.   Unfortunately, most of us look at this backwards.  We tell ourselves that if we fix our circumstance first, then we will be able to improve ourselves.  We blame our poor performance in life on our circumstance rather than blaming our circumstance on our poor performance.  This is sad because the truth is we can improve ourselves regardless of circumstance and when we do, we naturally improve our circumstance. 

Recently I had to meet with someone to let them know the feedback from their peers at work on their performance wasn’t great and that we would need to make some adjustments to their duties and responsibilities.  I worried about the conversation and the reaction the individual would have.  I knew she was talented and capable and could contribute a lot to the team but I also knew about her struggles in working with the team.  As probably most of us would, her immediate reaction was anger and blame.  As I tried to help her take ownership and control of the situation, and essentially her future, she refused to put blame aside and made the determination that others’ perceptions were the problem and not her.  She gave up her control and ultimately her destiny by not seeing herself as at least part of the problem and someone who should share the bulk of the blame.  Though I’m hopeful, I’m also still afraid that things won’t end well for this individual.    

We are our own worse enemies.  No matter what others say or do, or the circumstances we find ourselves in, our biggest obstacle will always be ourselves. 

With this in mind, I hope in this new year each of has made commitments to improve ourselves.  As we focus on ourselves we take control of our fate and the circumstances we find ourselves in.  Here is to overcoming our biggest obstacle this year!