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Glass Ceilings


According to the dictionary, a “glass ceiling” is defined as “an unofficially acknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession, especially affecting women and members of minorities.” I think we can extend this definition far beyond professions as many people are enclosed by artificial barriers affecting not just career, but personal development, social engagement and even family dynamics. And this expanded definition applies to far more than just women and minorities. We all come across unspoken boundaries in our lives and willingly let them hold us back, sometimes without even the consideration of breaching them, simply because we’ve allowed ourselves to succumb to their power in acknowledging their existence.

Strikingly, many of these glass ceilings are self-imposed. We create a narrative in our minds that sets an arbitrary limit where no true bounds exist. Whether it’s resigning ourselves to a position or circumstance because of family history, perceived educational limit, lack of experience, racial or ethnic stereotype, social norm or any other false limit, we cheat ourselves by recognizing a current barrier as a permanent blockade.

Those barriers then become self-fulfilling. “I am not a good writer” you might say, so you neglect to write. “I am not a good speaker,” so you shy away from any public address. “I am not smart enough,” so expecting a poor grade anyway, you don’t study as hard. “I could never …” so you never give it your best effort. While that statement may be true today, you are sentenced to remain in that judgment.

What glass ceilings have you constructed for yourself? What can you do today to start removing those tiles?

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