Weaknesses are inevitable and a natural part of life. When you are faced with weaknesses you’ve got a couple of options. There are two schools of thought for managing weaknesses-
School #1. Focus on, tackle, and conquer weaknesses and make them strengths
School #2. Focus on strengths and compensate for weaknesses in other ways
Both schools of thought are valuable and they each serve us well depending on the situation. Here’s how-
School #1. Focus on, tackle, and conquer weaknesses and make them strengths
Weakness is termed as a disadvantage or fault. No one wants to be at a disadvantage if they can help it and certainly, people don’t want to have faults. When it’s possible and makes sense, overcoming a fear and tackling it is the way to go.
Not knowing how to do something can be a weakness but it won’t be for long if you put in the time and energy and move from incompetence, through competence to excellence.
Learning a new skill or making our current skills better will change a weakness into a strength and remove your disadvantages and faults. Overcoming a weakness can improve your relationships, your health, and finances and may give you a competitive edge.
School #2. Focus on strengths and compensate for weaknesses in other ways
While it is smart to tackle weaknesses when they directly affect your family, health, or finances, there are times when it doesn’t make sense to focus on your weaknesses. Many times, it makes more sense to focus on your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses in other ways. That’s because-
- Some weaknesses don’t matter
- Some weaknesses are too big to tackle
- Some weaknesses are temporary
Some weaknesses simply don’t matter. It doesn’t make sense for you to learn to be a great housekeeper if it takes time away from your money-making tasks. You can easily compensate for the weakness by hiring housekeeping help.
Some weaknesses are too big to tackle. If you have no experience with technology, it doesn’t make sense for you to become an expert to manage maintenance of your computer, smartphone and other electronics. It makes sense to compensate for your weakness by using a technology service.
Some weaknesses are temporary. Life ebbs and flows and creates weaknesses. Illness and injuries can cause temporary weaknesses. Significant life changes or transitions can cause temporary weaknesses. It makes sense to manage these weaknesses and get support since they may not be permanent.
We all have to manage weaknesses. Thankfully you’ve got options. Consider each school of thought and apply the one that makes the most sense for your situation.
