What? Who am I to say such a thing? Do I think myself perfect? Do I think that I am lacking of all flaws and faults? Do I believe that I don’t lack strength, vigor or firmness! You’re damn straight that’s what I believe.
Hey Champions,
You know what I find so interesting? I have a blog named STRENGTHPLAY.COM and yet the number one searched for term that sends people to my blog….. weakness. All I do is talk about strengths, and acknowledging your strengths, and playing to your strengths, but so many people are concerned about their weaknesses. It’s somewhat frustrating, that we have been so brainwashed to believe that it is our weakness that matter… Well I’m here to tell you there is no such thing as weakness, not in humans.
Just this past weekend, I had a University of Washington senior over and we were talking about some of the choices he was about to make in his life. I told him that his brain actually has extra dense patches of neurons and neural connections that act as “signature strengths” in your life. Over a decade of empirical study has shown that using your signature strengths as much as possible in every situation creates a life described as more engaged. Using your strengths to accomplish something you believe is bigger than yourself creates a life of meaning. Pleasure, engagement and meaning are the three types of happy lives out there. Engagement and meaning bring prolonged happiness. So if you REALLY want happiness, you need to engage in your life, and find meaning in your life. A little pleasure on the top helps, but it does little to increase prolonged happiness by itself.
After all that, I put the computer in front of him and said, hey you should take one of the test to find out what some of your signature strengths are. He looks at the screen and says, ”So this is going to tell me my weaknesses? I want to know what my weaknesses are.” I don’t think he was paying very much attention to me obviously. I told him it was a test to show him his strengths, not his weaknesses, and he said he didn’t have the head space to do this now.
He did have the head space to see what his weaknesses were, but didn’t have the head space to see what his strengths were? I was dumbfounded, but I just pulled the computer away from him, smiled warmly, and readjusted my plans of interacting with him. I can’t judge him about his choice to focus on something that doesn’t exist. His choices are his choices, but I do know that when it comes time to pick teams in life, I will be looking for someone other than him.
Why must we be so focused on our weaknesses? To me, they don’t even exist. I would like someone to please point out a flaw that I have? Where am I working incorrectly? Where am I missing something? Are you trying to tell me that I lack vigor? Am I not firm in my thoughts toward myself? Are you really trying to convince me that I, and you, are not filled to the brim, overflowing with strengths? Do you honestly expect me to believe that I was not fearfully and wonderfully made? Knit together perfectly, for this time and for this moment.
I AM PERFECT BABY! Perfectly me. The only one in the world who is capable of being me. How dare you say I have a weakness. I have a big fat teddy bear in my room that is plush and soft and squishy. It is perfect. It is comforting and reminds me to stay child-like in my interactions with the world. If I were going to war with it, I could see how you might call it weak, but it was never intended for war.
I have had great success in my life, despite what some may call a troubling childhood. The ONLY time I have ever derailed myself, is when I stopped believing fully in myself. When I began to listen to what the media, congress, religion was speaking over me, then suddenly I felt broken, damaged, and weak, and you know what I went out and created in my life? A life that was broken, damaged and weak. Tell me why I would EVER believe such lies about myself again?
But you can’t possibly do everything great. No I don’t do everything great, but i sure do a lot of things great, and I do me better than anyone else in this world; in this universe. If you do YOU great, then the things I don’t do great are non-factors. We are all connected to one another. We are all supposed to be players on the same team; systems inside of the same body working toward a common purpose of Life, Love, Unity, Joy, PEACE. We’re all supposed to be doing our part for each other. Bring your strengths to the table, and build together.
I coached NCAA Division 1 Track for 6 years, and do you think I ever asked a 300 lb shot-putter to run on the 4 x 400m Sprint Relay? No, I never did. Why? Because his talents were best used in the ring. That is where he helped the team the most. When he applied his strengths, and built on his strengths, and studied his skill, and perfected his form, he helped the team win. So it is with life. Know your strengths. Perfect them. Study them. STRENGTHPLAY. Where you think you may have a weakness, think again. that is simply a place for a team member to join you.
As always I’m here for you as a coach if we feel we are a good match. Do you not know your strengths? Do you not know how to hone and perfect and STRENGTHPLAY? Do you not know how to develop your energy systems to move your thought process toward the positive and the creative? I can help with that. We will be beginning a 3 month “Activate the Champion” Group Training Macrocyle Saturday, May 14, 2011 (weekly class by phone conference) tentatively scheduled for 2 pm PDT. Email us (info@doyoujustice.com) if you have interest in joining the group. Spots limited to 10 members.
If you enjoyed the post, got anything from it, want to ridicule it all over the internet, then share it on Facebook, tweet it out, share it anyway you want to, and please comment. I always put sample questions but feel free to add your own or say whatever you want to say. If you are someone who wants to join with other folks committed to their strengths and to each other, then please join our Facebook page, or add us on twitter. I want to connect to folks like you! I always do the same. NBL & PEACE.
Has focusing on weaknesses ever given you the desired outcomes you were after? Have you ever been part of team, how did your strengths work together? Do you think you should even consider your “weaknesses” or focus on your strengths?
