Pronunciation: SHORT-kum-ingz
Simple meaning
Shortcomings are faults, failures, weaknesses, or ways a person falls short.
Today, people may use shortcomings to describe personal weaknesses, limitations, repeated mistakes, or areas where growth is needed. In Big Book study, the word is closely connected with humility, willingness, change, and asking for help.
Older meaning
Older dictionary definitions often describe a shortcoming as a failure, deficiency, fault, or falling short of what is needed or expected.
That older meaning matters because shortcoming does not mean a person is worthless. It points to a lack, weakness, or failure in a particular area.
A person can have shortcomings and still have value, usefulness, and hope.
Why this word matters
In Big Book reading, “shortcomings” is important because it helps describe what becomes visible through inventory and honest self-examination.
A person may begin by seeing outward behavior. Then they may see deeper patterns: fear, pride, dishonesty, resentment, self-pity, control, selfishness, or unwillingness.
Shortcomings are not meant to become a new identity.
They are things to be recognized, admitted, and brought into the recovery process. The point is not to stare at them forever. The point is to become willing to change and to seek help where self-effort has not been enough.
Common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is to think shortcomings means “everything is wrong with me.”
In Big Book study, shortcomings are not the whole person. They are areas where the person falls short, needs help, and can grow.
Another misunderstanding is to think that noticing shortcomings means staying focused on oneself. It does not have to. Seeing clearly can lead toward humility, usefulness, amends, service, and a better way of living.
A useful question is:
Where am I falling short in a way that keeps harming me, others, or my relationship with God?
Helpful meeting handle
A common recovery idea is that defects and shortcomings are not studied so a person can beat themselves up.
That can be a useful handle. The point is not self-punishment. The point is honesty, willingness, and change.
But avoiding shame does not mean avoiding truth. In Big Book study, the word becomes useful when it helps a person see what needs help and become willing to live differently.
Study note
This website works best with a copy of the Big Book in your hand. Look for the word “shortcomings” and related ideas in the first 164 pages and nearby discussion. Notice whether the surrounding passage is talking about humility, willingness, God, character, confession, or change.