Article By Kevin L. DeWitt

 

I have always had a deep apprehension about what I perceive as my shortcomings.  As a result, I’ve always felt intimidated when I start something new.  I know that I have weaknesses, and I’m anxious they’ll lead to my failure.  Even when they don’t and I succeed, many times I feel as if I don’t deserve it.

 

This isn’t a pity party.  I’m making a point that I believe we all feel this way at some point in our lives … or for some of us … at many times throughout our life.

 

I’m still learning to turn my weaknesses into strengths and to recognize them as such.  The key, I’m convinced, is the right mindset.

 

I’m not referring to just the power of positive thinking … but about figuring out ways in which weaknesses can actually be strengths.  If you develop the mindset that weaknesses aren’t really weaknesses, you’ve just broken through your limitations and fears.

 

For example, for the longest time I was no good at sustaining something for very long, at achieving any kind of long-term success.  I was good at short-term projects, but I couldn’t keep anything going for long.  So I found two ways to make this work in my favor:

 

I became the master of the quick turnaround. Someone needs a project done? I’ll do it in a day or two. Any project that takes longer than that is broken down into smaller jobs … and I take them on one at a time, rather than as a group of overwhelming projects.  I know I can do excellent work in short bursts, and that is a strength that is always in demand.

 

I learned to focus on small steps. For some goals, you need to sustain something for a long time … running a marathon is a good example.  I ran my first and only marathon in 2003 at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon (it was a lot of fun, however I learned my body wasn’t built to take that type of beating!).  One of the things I learned in training for the marathon was focusing on one step at a time.  If I concentrated on making each step a success, I could achieve a lot over time with little steps.  Instead of worrying about an entire marathon training program (usually takes 3-6 months), I focused on one day at a time, or one week at the most.

 

My Weaknesses as a Consultant

When I began working for myself as a business consultant, I found it was a good way to work on my strengths.  There were also weaknesses … I didn’t have a recognized name, I had no established clients (as compared to larger, established consulting firms), and I had little or no resources.

 

Those weaknesses were actually strengths, I realized.

 

Not having a recognized name meant I could re-invent myself into whatever I wanted.  While I had the skill set and the experience having done so for myself and former employers … no one knew me as a small-town business executive and writer with no experience in assisting clients with their strategic planning, financial budgeting, or other fields.  I became a consultant on these topics (and some I knew a lot about) with a brand name I made up.

 

It worked, because the more I got my name out there, the more people associated me with my brand name … with my re-invented consulting self.  And it wasn’t a false self … it was something I became, based on my strengths.

 

Not having resources also became a strength: I would have to be creative, and I would have to learn to do many things for myself (and thus enlarging my skill set).  And creativity is a beautiful thing — much better than having a lot of money and staff (Although I admit that sounds nice!).  I was more personal than other consulting companies, and I was having fun.

 

Are Your Weaknesses Holding You Back?

What do you think your weaknesses are?  Are they keeping you from starting something new, from pursuing your dreams?

 

Sometimes we have fears about our weaknesses without realizing it.  Take a minute to think about what you’ve always wanted to do, or what you’re doing now.  What are your fears?  What do you perceive to be your weaknesses?  What are your limitations, and what’s holding you back?

 

Take assessment, and then read on to change your mindset about these weaknesses.

 

Your Weaknesses Can Become Your Strengths

We can’t identify and review an exhaustive list of weaknesses in this space.  However the main thing to learn is to have the mindset where your weaknesses can all be turned into strengths. There might be exceptions … but even if there are, it is extremely useful to always look at your weaknesses and see how you can use them to your advantage.

 

First step: Examine your weaknesses.

 

Second step: Figure out your strengths.

 

Third step: Figure out how to shift your weaknesses over to the strengths column.

 

Here are a few examples.  The main idea is to figure them out for yourself.  The more you practice this mindset, the better you’ll get at it.

 

Not a good writer.  Then be a people person instead.  If you can’t write a great report or proposal, make it in person or do a presentation. 

 

Not a salesperson.  If you feel uncomfortable selling to someone face to face … then figure out how you can do so through email or the phone.

 

Not a lot of money to start a business.  Be lean and creative instead.  Small is actually an advantage in business.  You can develop products without bureaucracy, with a quick turnaround.  You can market using guerilla tactics.  You can adapt faster, etc.

 

You don’t work very fast.  Be deliberate.  Be more thorough.  Be more thoughtful.  Work on important stuff instead of cranking out a lot of stuff, and develop the reputation for being the sage.

 

Not a people person.  Work on brilliant, creative things alone.  That’s ok!  Find your niche and make incredible stuff with the talents you have.  Then locate others who are people persons to promote your stuff for you.

 

You get the idea! Now get started on turning your weaknesses into strengths — start right now.

 

“The weakness of the enemy makes our strength.”
-American Indian Proverb

 

“Our strength grows out of our weaknesses.”

-Ralph Waldo Emmerson

 

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