Strengths: Become Who You Were Meant to Be

I read an interesting article, “The Best You” by Dennis W. Easter.

The writer examines how people spend their lives focusing on improving their weaknesses instead of maximizing their strengths. Dennis W. Easter notes, “Why this obsession in our culture to try and be something we are not? I’m not arguing that areas of weaknesses shouldn’t be addressed or even neutralized where they are destructive. What I am arguing for is refocusing of efforts to become the best version of ourselves.”

In other words, one can achieve greater results by discovering intrinsic strengths then to pursue the improvement of personal weaknesses with minimal results.

Discover how you’re wired and foster a healthier lifestyle. Stop sacrificing to overcome your lack of natural ability, instead play to your strengths and make the most of your life.

For example, I am not a good singer. The fantasy of being some rock star is fun, but the pursuit of that dream is unrealistic.

Here are a few tips from his Article:

1. Listen to your yearnings. Pay attention to your heart, passions and what excites you and examine false aspirations. Dump unhealthy messages and distorted thoughts.

2. Sense moments of satisfactions. Focus on value. Don’t lead yourself to an emotional burnout by working hard at something in which you are not gifted and has low value.

3. Recognize what you learn quickly. Find out what you’re good at and what engages your attention. Tune into your “learning style” since it is crucial to maximize your efforts. Question, “Works for me and what doesn’t?”

4. Note where growth is lasting. He adds, “Sustained growth is a good sign of a strength of talent. The opposite is to obsess over our weaknesses as we seek to develop them… Get over yourself and leverage your strengths to develop your talents rather than trying to hold up something you really don’t do well.”

5. Keep a lookout for areas of excellence others see in you. Self-awareness is productive when responsibility is taken. Don’t be a poor sport, take responsibility and don’t blame people for your failures. Evaluate constructive feedback and seize those opportunities. He notes, “When you get that kind of glimpse of excellence in your life or in someone else’s, fan those embers into a flame.”

6. Find grace in weakness. I end with this tip. Don’t beat yourself up. If one method isn’t working for you, try, try again. Life is a journey, embrace grace for strength.

In essence, play to your strengths, and become who you were meant to be, by discovering your intrinsic strengths and maximizing them. With that said, don’t be someone you’re not. Live life and prosper.