Have you ever wished you could hit the delete button on your specific traits?
Like seriously, if there were an app for editing personality traits, you’d be all over it, right?
We all have those moments where we’re like, “Why did I just do that?” or “Did I just say that out loud?”
Welcome to the human imperfection club.
Think about one of those moments when you realise you’ve just unleashed your temper or your foot somehow found its way into your mouth again.
And let’s not even start on the “Oh look, a butterfly!” level of distraction that can derail any attempt at productivity. It’s like our brains are on a never-ending loop of bloopers.
But it’s okay. You’re not a robot programmed for perfection. You’re a beautifully flawed human being, wired for growth, learning, and, let’s face it, a bit of chaos.
So, let’s dive into the messy, the uncomfortable, and the downright embarrassing. Let’s talk about those qualities we’re not showcasing in our highlight reels but are part of who we are.
And who knows? Maybe we’ll figure out how to laugh at ourselves more and judge ourselves less.
Ready? Let’s begin.
I’ve picked three traits I am not proud of that have remained a part of me over the last few decades.
Temper Trouble: Harnessing Your Inner Storm
Temper trouble isn’t just about having a short fuse; it’s about passion, intensity, and a deep sense of justice. Yes, it can lead to explosive moments, but it’s also a sign that you care deeply about things.
How, you may wonder!
I mostly flare up when I spot arrogance, doublespeak, or recklessness. And I reserve my worst for those who don’t care about others; all that concerns them is that they are not inconvenienced.
So, how do I deal with it?
I’m learning to channel that energy constructively. Easier said than done, but progress is a marathon, not a sprint.
Foot in the Mouth: Honesty isn’t Always Welcome
Do you put your foot in your mouth often or sometimes?
When you speak up or speak freely, you may tend to say something you later feel you shouldn’t have.
I do. Now and then, I wish I had not said that or I had stopped after the first few sentences. I don’t have a diplomatic bone, so I pay the price for being too frank and sometimes regret it after it has happened.
While it can be embarrassing, it’s also about authenticity, honesty, and refusing to play games. Sure, it might mean you occasionally say the wrong thing at the wrong time, but it also means you’re real. The challenge here is to find the balance between speaking your mind and considering the impact of your words. Think of it as learning to dance on the fine line between transparency and tact.
By the way, I am a terrible dancer. That should hint at how well I handle the FITM syndrome😁.
Finding Focus: The Perils of the Wandering Mind
Shift focus, oh, the bane of the curious mind.
Staying entirely focused is a distant dream for me. I keep shifting focus from one to the other. Distraction beats me quickly, and then I digress.
When I struggle with focus, I tell myself it’s not a flaw; I see it as a testament to my hunger for knowledge and new experiences😁. And then the trick is to harness that curiosity, to direct it in a way that allows you to finish what you start without stifling your need for exploration.
Your Takeaway: See The Glass as Half Full
No need to freak, fret, or frown if you are like me. Know that these traits are part of the package deal that is you. And while you can (and should) work on smoothing out the edges, don’t lose sight of the fact that these qualities also have their flip side. They make you dynamic, engaging, and a bit unpredictable 😁.
So, what’s the takeaway here? It’s simple. Own your quirks, work on them, but don’t let them define you. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. And remember, the goal isn’t to become a bland, faultless version of yourself; it’s to be the best, most authentic version you can be.
Life’s too short to spend it in a perpetual state of self-critique. Embrace your imperfections; they’re what make you uniquely you. And if all else fails, remember that perfection is overrated.
Here’s to embracing our flaws, learning from them, and, most importantly, not being too hard on ourselves. After all, we’re all works in progress.
Why not make a pact? Let’s agree to work on these traits, not to eradicate them — that may be impractical — but to manage them better.
Let’s aim for progress, not perfection. And let’s do it with a bit of humour, a ton of compassion, and an unshakeable belief in our ability to grow.
Weren’t we told to see the glass as half-full?😁
