Over the past few weeks a picture has been circulating on social media forums that is quite comical. This picture is humorous, because it provides an interesting illustration and perspective of how a mental constraint can impact behavior.
Whenever I see this picture on a social forum I always take a moment to read the comments. Most of the comments look as follows:
- LOL (Laughing Out Loud)
- LMBO (Laughing My But Off)
- ROTFL (Rolling On The Floor Laughing)
The majority of people who see this picture seem to appreciate the hilarity of the horse’s situation and it’s correlation to human behavior. Yet, I wonder how many people took the time to look inward and conduct an internal investigation on their own behavior
If you saw that picture, did you take a moment to ensure that the horse tethered to a plastic chair, didn’t represent a set of similar mental constraints in your own life?
As human beings, it’s so easy for us to identify when someone else may have a shortcoming. Our default tendency is to focus on other’s opportunities, while completely neglecting our own.
We can point at the horse tethered to a plastic chair and chuckle, but if we aren’t constantly evaluating our own shortcomings and development opportunities, our laughter could be camouflaging our own constrained circumstance.
Please, don’t be the elephant restrained by a thin stick, laughing at the horse tethered to a plastic chair!
When you find yourself ready to make a judgement about someone else…STOP!
Ask yourself: Can I be judged for the same behavior in the past, present or near future?
We all have been just like this horse or that elephant.
We all are powerful, regal and great, yet we’ve all been constrained by lack of confidence, ignorance or fear at some point in our lives.
When we did break free of a mental constraint, we didn’t do it alone. We got help!
It took a parent, friend, mentor, speaker, author and/or coach to help us see the limitations of the mental constraints in our lives. Those are the people who told us to dig deeper, push harder and never give up!
Now it’s our turn to be that person to another.
When you find yourself ready to make a judgement about someone else…STOP!
Instead, do a self assessment:
- What development opportunities might you have?
- Where is a mental constraint in your own life holding you back?
As you develop and get the help you need, be that help for someone else.
Reserve judgement and keep the focus on your own self-development.
Let’s all keep learning and stay inspired, it’s a lifestyle choice!
About the Author:
Linal Harris
Global Entrepreneur – Certified Life Coach – Media Personality – Speaker
Linal Harris is a global entrepreneur, certified life coach, author, and media personality. As the founder of Inspirational Perspective® Publishing, LLC and Insights 4 Life™ Coaching, LLC, Harris challenges his global audience and coaching clients to Murder Mediocrity® and live their best life possible. Harris concentrates his work as an ontological coach with clients on what he calls the 4 pillars of life; the relationship we have to ourselves, the relationships we have with others, our relationship to work and money, and the connection we have to our spirit and life’s purpose. Harris coaches CEO’s, executives, entrepreneurs, athletes and celebrities. Harris is the author of “Slay Your Goals”, where he provides his readers with scientific and research backed tips for achieving their goals. Harris is an expert goal-setter and has been called upon by Fortune 500 companies to assist with setting their strategic priorities, facilitate goal-setting sessions and provide inspirational talks.
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