Working Around Our Weaknesses
by Vic WIens
A number of readers have expressed their appreciation for my article about turning weaknesses into strengths. A few others pointed out several spelling errors in that article! Let me use that as the springboard for another side to this discussion of working with strengths and weaknesses.
I have come to realize that my bad spelling is not a factor of habit but a factor of ability. Years ago I realized that my bad spelling was a significant limiting factor in my success in university and in the workplace. As a result, I determined to become a good speller. Every time I heard of a new “foolproof” spelling method, I applied it with a vengeance. To my disappointment, I made very limited progress. To this day, I have not been able to develop my ability to spell correctly.
On the other hand, I can not just ignore my bad spelling, so I have had to work very hard at developing support systems around me to correct my spelling. A few months ago I found that I could not financially justify keeping my excellent administrative assistant. The proliferation of spelling errors in my last article was the result of not replacing this effective system with a new system. I trust that my new system, of having my wife edit my articles, is working in this current writing. Please let me know if it is not, because I will find some other workable system.
We have a false notion in our society that says that we can do anything we put our mind to. That is completely false. We are very capable of changing our habits, of strengthening our muscles, of gaining new knowledge, etc. However, we also have limitations. We are finite.
To work around our limitations we have two main options. The first option is other people. We need each other. There are many people with the God-given ability to do those things I cannot learn to do. If we work as a team, we will accomplish much more than I will ever accomplish on my own. The other option is technology. Computer spell checkers and PDAs are good examples of how technology can help us work around our limitations.
My point is that weaknesses should not become limitations to achieving goals. However, they affect our strategies. If our weaknesses are related to habits, they can be turned into strengths through the focused development of new habits. If our weaknesses are related to our God-given abilities, we need to develop teams and technology to help us work around our personal limitations. Even then, we are still finite, but we will significantly increase our impact.
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