January 30, 2015

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Proverbs 19:20

Blind spots. We all have them, but why? What causes them? 

Let me suggest several common causes of blind spots.

Emotionally charged moments are not ideal for decision-making. Unfortunately, most decisions are made in emotionally charged moments. Since you aren't thinking your best while you are caught up in emotions, what may normally be obvious becomes a blind spot.

When I was selling cars, I wanted to get my customers as emotionally involved with the car as I could. The worst thing that could happen for me as a salesman was when a customer held onto his objectivity throughout the process. 

Why?

Because I wanted them to be "blind" to the price I was asking for the vehicle they wanted.

No wonder hindsight is always 20/20, the emotions have passed by the time you look back on your decision.

Knowing that you don't make good decisions when you are in an emotionally-charged moment, the wise thing to do is have friends in your life who can see what is in your "blind spot".

Another cause for blind spots is pride.

When you think you know it all already, you won't be open to listening to someone who sees the blind spot.

That explains why you can always see what other people should do even when you are unsure what you should do.

It was pride that eventually brought down, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (not named Jesus).

Because you tend to be emotional at the point of big decisions you are prone to have blind spots in your decision-making.

And, if you lack the humility to seek good advice from wise people, you will be likely to miss something that would have been obvious to them.

Wise decision-makers avoid "blind spots" by "listening to advice and accepting discipline".

Are you listening?