Identify and Use Your Strengths
Posted: Wednesday, August 02, 2006
by Sheena Mackie
Sheena B. Mackie
... and Your Weaknesses
A Soul-Building Exercise
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Grab some notepaper and a pen...
1. In separate columns, leaving space for comments under each entry, list all of your...
(a) greatest strengths, and
(b) most troublesome weaknesses
2. Now mark each entry with the appropriate initial:
I = improve upon this
P = proud of achievement here
N = normal character trait of mine
E = eliminate this altogether
R = reduce this
O = outstanding part of my character
U = use this more
Why not come up with some of your own as well...
3. Having identified the nature of each of your entries, answer the following question, using your strengths and weaknesses directly from your list.
*Don't worry about being grammatically correct, or even eloquent, just let it flow out.
**Do ensure that you write your answer down neatly and read it regularly to keep you on track.
The key question to ask and answer for yourself is:
"In line with my current strengths and weaknesses, how can I rise up and become better?"
An example of an answer that could be suitable is: "I can rise up by (a) eliminating my weaknesses of being overly defensive and improving upon my ability to take and utilize constructive criticism, and (b) by focusing more on my strength of being a voracious reader, I can learn and apply new skills and techniques, which will help me to get ahead at work and in life... "
Parting thoughts:
Too often our weaknesses are merely ignored or covered over due to embarrassment. Unless you figure out how to use your weaknesses effectively to drive you onwards - and that can definitely be done - they'll be in control, rather than you.
Knowing your strengths is vital to your success in life. But, knowing your weaknesses is equally as important.
Remember, that knowledge is unproductive without action being taken in the real world.
The secret to turning your life around, lies in what you are applying your abilities and qualities to... and how you are expressing your soul-self in the world, daily.
Recognising a weakness is often simple, but acting on it is a sign of superior strength. Self-improvement is the greatest quest we can seek in life. Neither strength nor weakness is permanent - we can both slip down or climb up in life in the blink of an eye. Helping others to see that the power of change is always within, completely unrelated to where we live, how much we earn or who we are is one of the most powerful gifts we can share. EXCELLENT article!
Well put, as Anthony Robbins has said "Constant and Never-ending Improvement"Imagine the kind of person we would grow to be if we applied it daily.