Does a handcuff lock you? You can't believe it if you listen to what we have discovered: the invisible handcuff exists in our lives. Let's read our list:
- Self-doubts: I'm not smart enough. I'm too old to start something new. I'm not good at math. If you have these feelings, your mind is restricting your capability. The handcuff can be damaging. We are locked in a confined space defining what we can do rather than free to accept the whole world given to us to experience.
- Pride is a mindset that makes us believe we are superior to others. It can be a real obstacle, hindering our ability to listen, observe, and receive suggestions. When consumed by pride, we become ignorant and confined to our own world. Therefore, it's important to recognize and overcome our pride to grow and learn from others.
- Fear: Do you ever feel afraid to try something new or unfamiliar in front of your friends because you worry about losing face? Are you worried that the outcome may not be positive, even if you put much effort into learning and improving? If so, fear may be holding you back. While fear can sometimes help protect us, it can also limit us and prevent us from reaching our full potential. I've seen many people make mistakes when they let fear take over during crucial moments. It's important to recognize when fear is controlling us and work to overcome it so that we can stay in control and make the best decisions possible.
- Authority: Believe it or not, we respect authority. But if you do not think and rely on authority to tell you what to do, you are confined in a world where others draw a line and trap you.
- Tradition: This is how it should work. When someone tells you about this, they create a confined space with invisible walls. The rule makes us follow. We are then limited in what we can do and even think.
- Sloth: When we take the easy path, it might be a trap pre-designed. The nudging technique in psychology induces a choice by making the option appear more straightforward. We are more likely to follow a well-paved road than choose our path when walking in the park. These are invisible handcuffs designed to take advantage of lazy weakness.
- High pay: Are you kidding? What's the problem with getting a high-paid job? It's a problem, and it's a golden handcuff. When we get paid high, we are reluctant to make a change. Consider the stock bonus that vests in four years, which you must sell if you leave the company. It's a handcuff that companies put on their employees. When the job no longer exists and is inspiring, will you break the handcuff and work on something more meaningful?