5 Eye-Opening Tips to Discover Your Blind Spots and Boost Success

timshurr • June 21, 2024

Today, let’s talk about something that we all have but rarely see — our blind spots.

Have you ever been cruising down the highway, decided to merge into the other lane, and suddenly swerved back because there was a car next to you that you didn’t see?

That’s always a fun jolt to the heart (for you and the other driver!)

We call that  “having someone in our blind spot”  because we can’t see them, even though they are there. We also have those pesky blind spots in our personal and professional lives, and they keep us from achieving our goals and having more inner peace.

Those who acknowledge their blind spots can more quickly identify what they are and how to resolve them. Those who do not tend to blame others because of ego or a lack of self-awareness or spend tremendous energy solving the wrong problems while stressing out those around them.

Imagine diligently pouring water into a bucket, day in and day out, trying every possible method to increase the amount of water in your bucket. Yet, the water level drops significantly at the end of each day regardless of how much you’ve added.

You install a fancy new hose, upgrade your faucet, and even perform a rain dance or two. But no matter what you do, the water level in that darn bucket just won’t rise.

Then, a neighbor walks by one day, looks down into your bucket with a magnifying glass, and says, “Hey, did you know there’s a hole in the bottom of your bucket?” Of course, you know how we would reply. “No there isn’t. I checked that already.” And that’s when we finally see the hole.

In life, our blind spots are like holes in the bucket. We can spend endless hours fixing what we think is the problem, only to find out later that we’ve been running fast in the wrong direction.

Then, because of embarrassment, pride, or a high opportunity cost (the bias that we’ve invested too much to stop), many resist, rebel, or shut down rather than view it as an opportunity to advance.

So, how do we find these blind spots before wasting more time, energy, and perhaps our sanity? Here are five ways to identify and resolve your blind spots.

  1. Phone a Friend (or a Coach) : Sometimes, we’re too close to the situation to see what’s glaringly obvious to others. Have you ever had salad stuck in your teeth, and nobody told you? Exactly. Find someone who isn’t afraid to tell you what’s stuck in your metaphorical teeth. Coaches, mentors, or brutally honest friends are gold for this.
  2. Listen to Feedback (Even When It’s Ouchy) : Feedback can be like a porcupine hug — awkward and slightly painful. But it’s also invaluable. When someone points out something you hadn’t noticed, don’t brush it off. Dive in, figure out if there’s a nugget of truth, and use it to patch that hole.
  3. Self-Reflection (But Not the Endless Loop Kind) : Take a step back and look at the big picture. Are you constantly solving the same problem? Maybe the issue isn’t the water but the bucket itself. Reflect on your patterns, but avoid the trap of endless rumination. That’s like using a magnifying glass to find an elephant — unnecessary and exhausting. And drop the self-criticism, too. Blind spots are a part of the human experience, so be kind to yourself, learn from this, and move on.
  4. Continuous Learning (Without the Overwhelm) : Knowledge is power, but only if applied correctly. Stay curious and keep learning, but also be selective. You don’t need a flood of information, just the right information to fix your specific leaky bucket. (i.e., Getting lost in YouTube videos that take you down endless rabbit holes when you can talk to an expert and solve your issue more quickly.)
  5. Take Action (Yes, You Actually Have to Do Something) : Once you’ve identified a potential blind spot, do something about it! Knowledge without action is like having a bucket without water — pretty useless. Recognizing the hole is only step one. You’ve also got to patch it and then watch how much easier it is to fill your bucket.

In conclusion, finding your blind spots is crucial. It’s the difference between spinning your wheels and actually getting somewhere. So, let’s all commit to a bit of honest self-evaluation and a touch of humility.

And maybe, just maybe, we can start laughing at our blind spots and make finding them a fun part of our growth journey.

Have a beautiful day…

Tim Shurr

P.S. If you need help finding the hole in your bucket (metaphorically speaking), let’s schedule a time to talk…

Do You Have a Champions Mindset? I Learned This From Tommy Hopkins

By tim hurr • July 17, 2025
If you have been a realtor or a business owner over the last three decades, you’ve likely heard of Tom Hopkins . He’s one of the most successful sales trainers of all time. Tom dropped out of college at 19 and got into real estate. His first mentor took him to a California neighborhood three miles from the office and left him there. He said, “Tom, business isn’t going to come to you. You need to go to it. Knock on one hundred doors and you’ll end up with a qualified customer.” Tom hated knocking on strangers’ doors and didn’t even know what to say. But he did it anyway (because that’s what champions do), and after knocking on the 64th door, he got a customer and his first listing. He took great care of that couple who listed their home. Later, they would say that Tom was an answer to their prayers. Tom let everyone in that neighborhood know he was the realtor who sold that house, but building a business is typically slow and painful. Over the next four years, Tom worked his backside off. He was the first to go into the office and the last to leave. He networked with everyone who would talk with him and created relationships with the most successful realtors in town so he could learn from them. Tom believes that having mentors is an essential key to success. Eventually, Tom figured out his CHAMPIONS formula, which allowed him to sell 365 homes in one year, a record at the time. He decided to teach his formula to others, and over forty years, five million people attended his lectures. In 2022, when I launched my third “Legends Summit,” Tom came out of retirement to speak at the event. I also had the privilege of receiving a one-on-one lesson from him on what being a champion means. That conversation was thrilling, and now, Lesson 7 in my One Belief Away Wealth Mindset course. Tom’s CHAMPIONS acronym has guided millions to sales success, and I’m sharing it with you now: C – Courageous: Do what you fear most. H – Honesty: Be honest in all your communications. A – Attitude: Your daily attitude determines your altitude. M – Motivated: Stay motivated and excited, especially during tough times. P – Persistent: Be a persistent ‘follow-up specialist.’ I – Integrity: Treat everyone how you would like to be treated. O – Ownership: Own and believe in the products or services you sell. N – Nonjudgmental: Avoid making quick judgments about clients based on appearances. S – Service: Focus on serving others rather than simply selling to them. As I edited the transcript of my conversation with Tom, I was struck by how relevant his advice remains today. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, these insights will significantly elevate your success in sales, marketing, business, and life. What’s unique about my Wealth Mindset program is that I take the best insights and strategies and transform them into “instructions for your brain to follow” through my unique hypnosis process. Each month, I take a legendary interview and turn it into a hypnosis “brain software” program. This program helps you download these successful attributes directly into your subconscious mind. As Tom says, “Your attitude determines your altitude!” Part of my legacy will be leaving behind a set of instructions, a “mental blueprint” for reaching your full potential by capturing the best success tips straight from personal development ICONS. I’ve already been sharing these strategies with my teenage boys, and their successes are impressive and far beyond anything I accomplished at that age. Even if you feel you’ve got things covered, consider sharing this timeless wisdom with your kids. Tom says, “We have to be fanatical about teaching young folks what’s made us successful in life and then get them to pass along what they learn as well.” I totally agree. Here’s to becoming a CHAMPION for you and your family. Tim Shurr, MA P.S. Not a member yet? Start your FREE 30-day trial here ! Your future CHAMPION self will thank you…

Do You Have a Champions Mindset? I Learned This From Tommy Hopkins

By timshurr • July 22, 2024
If you have been a realtor or a business owner over the last three decades, you’ve likely heard of Tom Hopkins . He’s one of the most successful sales trainers of all time.

Overcoming The Fear Of Fear

By timshurr • July 12, 2024
Many of us live with an underlying anxiety about potential future problems — financial struggles, family issues, or professional setbacks. The post Overcoming The Fear Of Fear first appeared on Indy Hypnosis Center.