Willful Blindness To My Life’s Vision

“He won’t even try…”

These are common complaints from my clients when I encourage them to engage their spouse in forming a vision for their future. As someone that is ready to build a new life and willing to do what it takes, those frustrated husbands and wives cannot grasp why their other half will not take the leap.

First of all, this is not an issue of ability. The excuse, “I can’t visualize,” is just that…an excuse. Everyone can paint a mental picture of life as they desire and even increase their skills to do it. This goes beyond ability.

When someone digs their heels in right away and won’t make an attempt, there are two versions of the same issue at the core. To form a vision of your life, the first thing you must do is take responsibility for your life.

Those that won’t engage the vision process either don’t want to take responsibility or don’t think it will do any good.

Those that don’t think taking responsibility will do any good are mired in a victim mentality. Perhaps they’ve been hurt or disappointed by others. They’ve been told and bought in to all the self-limiting beliefs about luck and circumstances.

Sadly, they’re main barrier is an unwillingness to believe it is even possible to guide their lives toward their heart’s desire. It seems like too big of a risk to build yourself up with expectations, only to be let down again.

The other half of the equation are those that don’t want to take responsibility are just as frustrating to deal with, but are much closer to a breakthrough. In most cases, this group doubts their ability to perform.

By taking responsibility for their lives, forming and pursuing a vision, they put themselves out there to be evaluated. The risk? They fail to reach that vision and are then judged by their cronies who won’t take any risk.

The dominate thoughts seems to be, “I would rather not know if I’m capable of greatness than to attempt, fail, and confirm my suspicions.”

I spent a lot of years in both sides so I know them well. Here is the hard truth that shook me out of my apathy. Both mentalities will ultimately be judged harshly and safety from the consequences will not be an option.

If you want to see specifically what I mean, go to Matthew 25:14-30. It is referred to as the Parable of the Talents. Though not the only reference to the consequences of living in fear and shirking the responsibility of what we are given, it is my favorite.

We are told very clearly that this isn’t about having as much as someone else, but about being obedient to do the most with what we have. To those who much is given, much is expected. In addition, we plainly see that everyone is given something and therefore, there is an expectation on us all. Can anyone really argue that it should be any other way?

So what to do? Take a chance! The only way to succeed is to risk failure. That’s right! No guarantees. I’m not going to tell you that your efforts will yield the kind of success you’re looking for. I will tell you that sitting on your butt and refusing to take responsibility for the condition and future of your life is a guaranteed way to NOT have any measure of success. That’s a promise.

The only way to fully enjoy this life is to take full responsibility. What do you have? No matter the amount, it is enough to be responsible for. Now go do something with it and see happens.

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PJ McClure helps aspiring entrepreneurs to multi-million dollar business owners destroy roadblocks and seize opportunities to achieve their ideal vision of success. He is an award-winning speaker and the best-selling author of Flip the SWITCH: How to Turn On and Turn Up Your Mindset and Unlock Your Life: How to go beyond Time-Management to the Life of Your Dreams. You can download a copy of Flip the SWITCH for Free by clicking here.