Flaws. We all have them. The question is what do we do about them? On the outside things might be looking just fine, but what if there is a problem lurking beneath the surface?

Flaws can be ugly and embarrassing so we often want to hide them from those around us. We think they wouldn’t understand or fear they may treat us differently if they knew about our defects. So we try to hide them with a smile or a positive attitude meanwhile beneath the surface, trouble is brewing.

Sometimes we are simply unaware of a problem we have. Maybe nobody has ever pointed it out and we simply lack the ability or willingness to look at ourselves critically or carefully enough to discover it. Despite our ignorance of the problem, however, it is still there, lurking beneath the surface causing damage that we are unaware of.

In either situation, the damage is taking place.

We just had a situation in our home where we discovered that a water pipe in the ceiling had a small pin prick hole and had been slowly leaking and spraying out water. It was a tiny small hole and it was hidden behind the drywall of the ceiling. Small enough and hidden enough that there was no visible damage,  at least not until yesterday.

Eventually that small, hidden problem causes enough damage that it starts to become visible on the surface and to those around you. Eventually there is no more hiding or no more denying that the problem is there. The damage is done. It is time for repair and to address the root cause of the problem.

Maybe you lack a key professional skill in your job that is limiting your career. If you haven’t learned anything new in the industry of your profession since school, chances are you are falling behind and won’t have the skills required to perform well in the future. Your lack of learning might be a serious flaw that you try to cover up by pointing out the mistakes of others.

Maybe you have an issue with gambling, or alcohol, or drugs, or pornography, or other addictive behavior. Maybe it’s a control problem or an anger management issue that plagues you.

It could be a health problem that you know nothing about until one day you are hit with reality of a heart attack or a stroke or mental breakdown.

We all have flaws. Pretending that we don’t or focusing on the flaws of others is self-defeating.  Some flaws are easier to fix than others, but they are better and cheaper to fix before they cause damage. The process can be intimidating and often requires help from others but the key is to recognize the problem and take the first step to addressing it.

What is that first step you need to take?

• A honest conversation with a family member or coworker?
• Schedule an appointment with a doctor or councilor?
• Do you need to make a life style change to improve your health?
• Could a coach or personal trainer help you?
• Do you need to go back to school and get that degree?
• Make time to take a class or get training in an area that you are less knowledgeable about but needed in your career?