Weaknesses
Why am I so good at pointing out my weaknesses and so vague about my strengths? Was it my upbringing, personality, culture or an almost universal human tendency that points me in this direction?
I will grant that there is a needed place for focusing on weaknesses. When those weaknesses become roadblocks in relationships or work they must be addressed. I have benefited from addressing these weaknesses especially in relationships.
I'm reading a book right now called, "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton. They make a great point in the book that we have a tendency to focus on peoples weaknesses instead of strengths. As a result, we really lack a focus on developing the strengths of people. They say we usually have about 5 areas of talent that can be developed into strengths. Whiles weaknesses can be addressed to bring us to a level of competency, only talent areas can be developed into true strengths.
This book has helped me focus my strengths. It's so much more motivating to see there are some great talents that I have to offer. My responsibility is to develop these talents into strengths so that they can benefit others at work, home or wherever.
I'm reminded of that parable where 3 people are given some money by the king. 2 of them take some risks and get a good return on the money. The 3rd person takes the money and buries it in the ground because he's afraid of losing any of it. When the king comes back he's upset with the 3rd guy because he's squandered the opportunity to at least put the money in the bank to earn a little interest. The 3rd guy's fear of making a mistake with the money kept him from working with what he was given.
So, if I live my life trying only to minimize my weaknesses, it's like burying the money in the back yard. I'm squandering my time & energy out of a fear of making mistakes. I can offer so much more to the world by developing strengths rather than just minimizing weaknesses. I think a big reason God put me here was to develop those strengths to bless others.
I will grant that there is a needed place for focusing on weaknesses. When those weaknesses become roadblocks in relationships or work they must be addressed. I have benefited from addressing these weaknesses especially in relationships.
I'm reading a book right now called, "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton. They make a great point in the book that we have a tendency to focus on peoples weaknesses instead of strengths. As a result, we really lack a focus on developing the strengths of people. They say we usually have about 5 areas of talent that can be developed into strengths. Whiles weaknesses can be addressed to bring us to a level of competency, only talent areas can be developed into true strengths.
This book has helped me focus my strengths. It's so much more motivating to see there are some great talents that I have to offer. My responsibility is to develop these talents into strengths so that they can benefit others at work, home or wherever.
I'm reminded of that parable where 3 people are given some money by the king. 2 of them take some risks and get a good return on the money. The 3rd person takes the money and buries it in the ground because he's afraid of losing any of it. When the king comes back he's upset with the 3rd guy because he's squandered the opportunity to at least put the money in the bank to earn a little interest. The 3rd guy's fear of making a mistake with the money kept him from working with what he was given.
So, if I live my life trying only to minimize my weaknesses, it's like burying the money in the back yard. I'm squandering my time & energy out of a fear of making mistakes. I can offer so much more to the world by developing strengths rather than just minimizing weaknesses. I think a big reason God put me here was to develop those strengths to bless others.
posted by Kevmo at 12:15 AM
1 Comments:
I've been thinking about strength and weakness a lot lately. A lot. I think it's an interesting premise that we have five talents that can be developed into strengths. Five? Why five? Was there a survey?
Anyway, I can point out several strengths that I see in you. But I'm curious about what you see in yourself.
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