From Professor Ferriss: Emphasize Strengths, Don't Fix Weaknesses
Chris Heiler | November 17th, 2009
I was out for a walk this morning and listening to The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss for what seems like the 100th time. A quote from chapter 2 really jumped out at me again:
"Most people are good at a handful of things and utterly miserable at most.
It is far more lucrative and fun to leverage your strengths instead of attempting to fix all the chinks in your armor. The choice is between multiplication of results using strengths or incremental improvement fixing weaknesses that will, at best, become mediocre. Focus on better use of your best weapons instead of constant repair."
I completely agree with this statement, in fact, I'm probably the poster child for that first sentence. Hell, I haven't fixed my kitchen faucet since it started leaking about four months ago--I'm not quite sure where to begin. I can whip up a helluva pork tenderloin though!
I think this statement flies in the face of what is pounded into us at an early age. It seems that pointing out the weaknesses of others is easier than defining their strengths. How many times have you been told to "fix this" or "work on that"? Where is the encouragement to build on our strengths?
This reminds me of when I was first out of college and worked for a couple of landscape design/build companies. I was responsible for everything--design, estimating, sales, installation, and on and on. It only took about 3 years until I said to myself, Everything about this sucks! I don't care about skid steers, how to back up a trailer, or how to estimate labor!
I realized the only thing I cared about was the one thing I was good at--design. And I've been a better designer ever since I've distanced myself from my weaknesses and the things I don't give a damn about. Why is this? When you are able to focus on your strengths, as Ferriss says, your results are multiplied.
I believe it is important to recognize your weaknesses, but why focus effort on improving something only to the level of mediocrity at the expense of building on your strengths?
Do you know what your greatest strengths are? Are you doing everything possible to build on these or are you suffocated by fixing your weaknesses? Do you need to give up certain tasks and responsibilities in order to focus on your strengths?
What are you doing to put your best weapons to better use?
Please share your comments below.
To Your Success,
Chris Heiler
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