I believe it is often easier to be honest with others over being honest with ourselves. Now I’m not talking about being critical, that is usually the other way around. We are far too critical with ourselves rather than others, but it can have a similar detriment in our lives.

I’ll ask my kids all the time when they are not getting an A in a class, “Are you really trying your hardest in that subject?”

Invariably, they tell me, “Oh yes, I’m doing my best.”

I’ll cock my head and stare them down but in the end I can’t exactly call them a liar, it’s a personal internal assessment that they have to make. There really is no way for me to really know if they’re being honest with themselves. But the biggest tragedy, if they’re not being honest they are only sacrificing their full potential.

Another aspect of being honest also means understanding our limitations. Nobody is good at everything, and that’s okay. Often times we set ourselves up for our greatest strives when we not only refuse to really look at our abilities but don’t seek out others to help us who might be stronger in certain areas where we are weak.

Learn to be honest with yourself, really honest with yourself, and I can assure you, you will avoid so much unnecessary heartache.