You were created with unique qualities and abilities. Take the time to identify your strengths as they give you the ability to make valuable contributions to others and to the world that no one else can.
No matter how much of a useful quality you possess, you can always develop it so that it becomes even more valuable. One additional degree of personal growth today can make a big difference in your positive impact tomorrow. Does one degree really make a difference? To answer that question, imagine that you are heating water on the stove. The water will boil at 212 degrees Fahrenheit and produce steam, a source of tremendous power. But if you drop the temperature back just one degree, you only have hot water. The moral of the illustration: Don’t stop developing your strengths until they produce maximum power in your life and the lives of others.
Too often people neglect their strengths and debate the questions, “Why work on areas where I am already strong?” They devote most of their time and energy to shoring up their weaknesses and developing skills they don’t have. If you manage your life by only concentrating on your weaknesses, you take energy away from accelerating your strengths, thereby generating mediocre results.
Research indicates that as many as two-thirds of all working adults are slaving away at jobs they don’t like and for which they are not well suited. In a research poll of millions of workers, only one-third reported they were engaged in the kind of work they do best. No wonder so many businesses are characterized by apathy and mediocrity instead of passion and excellence! As we become pressed by the challenges of life, we often accept mediocrity by neglecting your strengths and shoring up a weakness.
If a weakness is really holding you back, naturally you should work to develop it. For example, if your deficiency in public speaking is curtailing your job performance and your daily work is in concert with your goals and purpose then it makes sense to devote some attention to improving that area. The blunt truth is you cannot be anything you want to be. For example, it is hard to be a successful professional basketball player in the NBA if you are 5′ 4″. The average height of these professional athletes is 6′ 7″. However, the good news is that you can always be more of who you are!
Tammy A.S. Kohl is President of Resource Associates Corporation. For over 30 years, RAC has specialized in business and management consulting, leadership development, executive coaching and youth leadership. For more information visit www.resourceassociatescorp.com or contact RAC directly at 800.799.6227.
