Knowing Your Barriers – A Step Closer To Personal Growth

Let’s face it, most of us hate change. However, change is the only thing in life that’s permanent. Personal Growth is important for every human being because that is exactly what makes us human.

The word “personal” is derived from a Greek word “persona” which means “mask”; and personal growth is evolving out of that mask and beyond it to become a better “person”.

What stops us from growing if it is so important in our lives? Let us look at the common personality barriers that make our development so difficult and make us resist such a vital aspect of life.

Identifying The Roadblocks

Our defenses, our mental blocks and holding on to the past limit our thinking. They create blocks or barriers that strengthen with time and become very hard to break. It, then, requires a tremendous effort to use your strengths in your favor and eliminate your weaknesses in the path of personal growth.

Fear: Fear of the unknown and of change can de-motivate you to bring about necessary improvements in life. We must learn to overcome the ‘what if’ phenomenon in order to evolve.

Lack Of Support: If there is no one around you who feels the need for personal growth, it is enough to stop you from doing so as well. Occasionally it is necessary to look beyond family and friends for support for your improvement.

Pride And Hurt: Clinging on to past injuries to your ego and pride will never let you heal. They only tend to strengthen the injury that you experienced.  And you may, consequently, feel victimized. They never let you ‘forgive and forget’, which is extremely important in the growth process.

Perfectionism: Not working toward growth because you cannot do it perfectly is a common occurrence and is another way of procrastinating about improving yourself. 

Self-Centeredness: Believing that you don’t need to improve because there is nothing wrong with you is selfish and hinders personal growth.

Lack Of Trust And Skepticism: Blaming others for everything that happens to you results invariably in mistrust and negativity and stops you from evolving.

Guilt: Blaming yourself for everything is just as unproductive as blaming others.

Lack Of Time And Money: If you think that you can’t grow because you are not financially equipped or you are too busy, there’s a good chance you are merely using these as excuses.

Counseling can help you identify and move past the above obstacles that we put in our own path. The faster you realize the excuses you have been using for not working toward improving yourself, the better it is for you. A counselor will not only help you organize your life, but will also lead to a change in your perspective and the way you view things and experiences.

If you believe you or a loved one may benefit from personal growth counseling, we invite you to contact us to set an appointment today. Please contact us, and one of our trained counselors will be in touch with you shortly. A sliding scale is offered to those in need.