What's Blocking Your Growth
Brenda BauerMost people think the opposite of a value is what derails us. But often, it’s the near enemy—a sneaky counterfeit that looks like the real thing but drains us instead. In this article, I unpack a powerful framework Brené Brown highlights in her new book, inspired by Buddhist wisdom: every value has both a far enemy (its obvious opposite) and a near enemy (a fake version that masquerades as the real thing). I’ll also connect this concept with Positive Intelligence, which shows how overusing our strengths can actually sabotage us. Together, we’ll look at how the far and near enemies of clarity, confidence, and consistency show up in everyday life—and how you can recognize when you’re living your value versus when you’ve slipped into its shadow. By the end, you’ll have a simple reflection tool to help you spot the difference and return to the version of your values that frees you instead of drains you.