Do you ever lie to yourself?

What a question, isn’t it? We usually think of lies as something we tell other people. We lie to secure our own interests, to achieve our own ends, to protect our self-respect-and in countless other situations, we have all told countless lies. There are many who present lies as though they were the truth, persuade others to believe them and thereby accomplish their objectives. In all such instances, the lies are directed at other people.

But we also lie to ourselves. How? We often find it difficult to acknowledge our own shortcomings and weaknesses. We hesitate to admit to ourselves that we have certain flaws or limitations. If someone points out those shortcomings, we may even begin to resent them for doing so. In all these situations, we are in fact lying-to ourselves.

Those who recognize their own shortcomings and, where possible, strive to overcome them are the ones who succeed in life. One of the principal reasons why people fail is that they are not honest with themselves and refuse to acknowledge their own mistakes. Those who are willing to confront and address their weaknesses possess remarkable inner courage.

Lying to oneself can take many forms. Excuses are one such form of self-deception. When people fail to complete a task entrusted to them on time, they often offer a variety of justifications-from claiming that they had no time to blaming others for the delay. Some people habitually postpone everything until tomorrow, believing that they can set everything right later. Those who place the responsibility for their own failures upon others are also lying to themselves.

We also see people who, after losing an election, attribute their defeat to the opposing party or to certain ideologies, thereby absolving themselves of responsibility. Escaping from reality may provide temporary relief, but we should never forget that it neither erases reality nor secures success for us. Honesty is indispensable for any success that is enduring. It is equally essential in our relationships and in our actions.

Whenever we lie, we undermine honesty. Honesty is one of the most important foundations of success and the first person to whom we must be honest is ourselves. A lie may offer temporary comfort. The truth will certainly hurt. Yet we must remember that truth ultimately leads to lasting success.

A mirror is the perfect metaphor, for it reflects us exactly as we are. We do not blame the mirror because our appearance is imperfect. Likewise, we must learn to accept our own defects and imperfections. We should acknowledge our weaknesses and limitations with an open mind. Ignoring or denying problems will never lead to progress. We may close our eyes to a problem, but the problem remains. If you have made a mistake, first admit it; then correct it. No one is knowledgeable or competent in every field. 

Therefore, never feel ashamed to admit that there are things you do not know. Do not place the blame for your own mistakes or faults upon someone else. Move forward with honesty towards yourself and you will certainly succeed in life.