“We all have blind spots in our knowledge and opinions. The bad news is that they can leave us blind to our blindness, which gives us false confidence in our judgment and prevents us from rethinking. The good news is that with the right kind of confidence, we can learn to see ourselves more clearly and update our views.”
- Adam M. Grant, “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know”
The Problem with the Thumb Latch
We have a front door handle with a thumb latch on the outside of the door, instead of a knob. The thumb latch refers to a thumbpiece above the door handle. When the thumbpiece is pressed, it unlatches the door by retracting the latch inside the door, allowing it to be opened. When the thumbpiece is released, the latch moves back into its original position and secures the door. One day, our thumb latch broke.
When the thumb latch broke, pressing the thumbpiece did nothing. This meant the door couldn’t be opened from the outside. However, there was a knob on the inside of the door which could retract the latch and open the door. We had an issue because the door couldn’t be opened from the outside, even if you had a key to unlock the door.
Temporary Fix
The thumb latch broke on a weekend but it wasn’t an emergency. So, we didn’t call the locksmith. Instead, we put tape over the latch to prevent it from engaging with the door frame and used the deadbolt to lock the door instead. This way, the door could be opened from the outside without using the thumbpiece. Securing and locking our front door was now determined by the deadbolt, not the latch. This easy solution helped us avoid fixing the real problem for weeks.
Yes, I am embarrassed to say, weeks. We got used to securing our door with only the deadbolt. It wasn’t a problem most of the time. However, when we had multiple people going in and out of the house, it became an issue. The wind would blow the door open if we didn’t use the deadbolt to lock it because there was no latch to secure it when it was closed. Without the latch, the door couldn’t close securely unless it was locked with the deadbolt. It was difficult for people to move freely in and out of the house through the front door. But we got used to the process and became relatively comfortable with it.
However, a few weeks into our latch-free saga, I decided to finally call the locksmith. The locksmith easily fixed the latch mechanism, and the thumbpiece finally worked again. Why did it take so long for me to call the locksmith? What was I thinking?!
Adapting to the New Normal
I guess the answer is that I wasn’t really thinking. We all just got used to the broken latch and adjusted our behavior and expectations with the temporary fix. It was reminiscent of the disorganized pile of objects in a house that doesn’t get cleaned up or chipped paint on a wall that doesn’t get repainted. We stopped seeing it as a problem because we got used to seeing it as it was. It became the new normal.
Reflecting on Our Blind Spots
But, then we should be asking ourselves, “Is the new normal…normal?” It is an important thing to think about because just because we get used to something doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be fixed. This applies in every area of our lives from work to personal health to relationships to thumb latches. We all have blind spots as individuals and groups with the things that have always been done a certain way. “This is how we do it here.” Sometimes, it takes someone with a different perspective to show us what we are missing or it takes a conscious reassessment of a situation to see what can be improved upon. Either way, it is a deliberate process to try and uncover our blind spot in whatever domain it may be in.
The Importance of Perspective and Reflection
Nobody is immune to blind spots; they are a part of being human. However, uncovering those blind spots is essential for improvement in any endeavor. By recognizing and addressing these blind spots, we can make better decisions, enhance our relationships, and improve performance in all aspects of our lives. Whether it's a minor inconvenience like a broken thumb latch or a significant issue in our personal or professional lives, taking the time to reassess and fix the problem can lead to positive change. This reminds us that sometimes the most impactful solutions come from seeing things from a new perspective and having the courage to make necessary adjustments, rather than keeping a blind eye to the problem.
The lesson from the broken thumb latch is a powerful reminder that we should regularly reassess our "new normals" to ensure they are truly serving us well. By embracing reflection and seeking new perspectives, we can uncover and address our blind spots, leading to growth and improvement. What strategies do you use to reassess and improve areas of your life that might have become the 'new normal' but could benefit from change?
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