Trigger Question #55:
Have you ever engaged in self-handicapping? Of course, you have. We all do. Sometimes.
How does it work? We identify and blame external factors that could, just maybe, cause our possible poor performance or future full-on failure. (Here’s a simplistic example. You trip on the sidewalk. Who do you blame: the sidewalk or your clumsiness? Yes, I know this is after the event, but you get the picture.)
Obviously, we don’t willingly blame “internal” factors, like our ability, knowledge, stamina, mindset, and so on. And especially not our lack of effort. Because internal factors are of the “who, me?” kind. Which means we are to blame and we can’t hide.
Be careful. Self-handicapping can be subtle. Like creating goals that are clearly unreachable. Like procrastinating by doing unrelated tasks or doing busywork that merely takes up time.
So why do we put obstacles in our own way? Why would we want to help ourselves fail? Because it gives us a ready excuse, in case we fail, to soften the blow to our self-esteem. And, of course, to protect our public image. It might even prevent us from getting depressed at the thought of potential failure, because surely it will not be our fault, will it?
For that to work, though, these obstacles must be of the “external” kind, ones that you supposedly have no control over. You know, like the flu, a computer crash, unreliable team members, the weather, too many other deadlines, too much to do preventing you from preparing adequately, and so on. I’m sure you can list many more.
What should you do when a colleague or a subordinate uses self-handicapping at work? Ask yourself, “Why are they so scared of failing that they need to protect themselves before they have even failed?” Uncover that and you can help them focus more on striving for success and less on preparing for failure.
But remember this. Self-handicapping cannot prevent failure. Nor can it ensure success. But it will get in your way by distorting your focus and diverting your energy, thus making poor performance more likely. You might even develop long-lasting negative coping habits, such as avoiding responsibility, deflecting blame, or openly blaming others.
A final warning. A classic self-handicapping trick is to forget, conveniently, that you can handicap yourself.
So use with caution.
Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.
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Quote of the Moment:
“The only way I can beat myself is to handicap myself.” The Chief Nonsense Officer.
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