…focus on your weaknesses instead of building on your strengths.  from the day we are born we are taught that the key to success is to identify your weaknesses and fix them.  instead of celebrating the classes where we get As we are punished for the Cs and required to “fix them.”  time spent receiving feedback  in the corporate setting is disproportionately spent on your “areas of opportunity.”  your partner is more likely to tell you what you are doing wrong instead of what you are doing right.  there are two reasons this type of thinking is prehistoric:

1. weaknesses can often not be “fixed.”  if you are a terrible public speaker today, chances are that if you practice public speaking for the next 200 hours you still won’t be great.
2. there is an opportunity cost associated with focusing on your weaknesses.  every minute spent “fixing” a weakness is a minute lost focusing on something else that could be more rewarding.

the simple truth is that one should improve critical weak spots so that they do not become a hindrance in your progression; however, the majority of one’s time should be spent on identifying your strengths building upon them.  companies don’t hire people who are “okay” at the job, they hire people who are the best at something.   and you can never become the best at something that is a weakness for you.

i have committed my life to this philosophy and it has paid off very well for me.  in fact, i shifted into the advertising business because it allows me to get paid and rewarded for doing things that are connected to my strengths (strategic thinking, building relationships, etc.).  if you want to maximize your potential, stop focusing on your weaknesses and seek to become the best at something that is connected to your strengths.

if you don’t know your strengths i highly recommend any book out the gallup collection.  the philosophy they espouse has changed my life.  plus, all of the books come with a 15 minute test to help you identify your top 5 strengths.

• for the deepest understanding of a why a strength oriented life makes sense, get now discover your strengths
• for a high level description, but a more updated and customized test purchase strengthfinder 2.0
• for learning how to leverage your strengths in your leadership role study strengths-based leadership

i have read and enjoyed them all.  for my latest results on the leadership test click here.

• Tags
• ·
• job
• ·
• personal development
• ·
• philosophy
• ·
• relationships
• ·
• strengths