It is important for us to be aware of our strengths and continue to work on these, but it is also important to recognise your weaknesses. This is because, in order for you to improve or work on those weaknesses you need to be able to be recognising your weaknesses.
I personally look to my weaknesses as positive things because although they are things I am not good at, it is a way for me to improve and work on. I always like a challenge as well, and I don’t think I am perfect either.
Therefore, in today’s post I want to talk you through
Recognising your weaknesses and how to turn them into strengths.
Identify weaknesses
Firstly, if you can then identify your weaknesses, because how else can you turn them into strengths if you are not recognising your weaknesses?
This requires you to open your mind and be completely honest with yourself. It is a tough process, but it is supposed to be that way. In order for you to grow and in turn grow your strengths it will be a tough process.
Of course if you are struggling then some of my points below might help you to identify those weaknesses.
Look to weaknesses as a “to do” list
It has been shown that those with a fixed mindset tend to hide all their weaknesses/flaws and almost pretend they don’t exist. Whereas, if you have a growth mindset you see your weaknesses as just something on your “list of things to do” in order to improve yourself.
Once you understand that with recognising your weaknesses you have the power to change them and work on them you have all the power. You have the power to work on them and then just “tick” them off your to do list.
Work with other people
Sometimes the best way for you to tackle that weakness is to work with someone that is great at your weakness. In a way you team up with them so not only are you learning from someone but you are overcoming that weakness too.
It is important to remember we all have strengths and weaknesses in different areas, so we may as well all team up together and work on them as a team. Use it to your advantage.
Ask others
There may be other times that you do not see why you are failing in something. However, if we turn to those we love and open our minds to listen to what they have to say, this will help you with recognising your weaknesses that essentially could be a “blind spot”.
Looking at things from a fresh perspective is a great way to tackle any problems and overcome those weaknesses and turn them into strengths. However, like I have mentioned you need to have an open mind and you need to listen to your loved one when they are being honest (as long as it is with good reason). The only way you can improve is by recognising those weaknesses.
Examine your weakness
It might be that whilst growing up or even when you go through a job that you are told many things; “you are too sensitive” “you are bossy” and so on. However, when you are recognising your weaknesses you need to make sure that they are actually a weakness for you and not just a strength that someone else might not like or they feel threatened by.
Therefore, really examine your weakness to determine whether it is a weakness to work upon and turn into a strength or whether it is actually a strength that someone else has convinced you is a weakness.
Stop procrastinating
It might be that you are aware of your weaknesses but you simply cannot be bothered to actually do anything about it, but then you end up complaining that you are not getting any better.
To be blunt if you are not willing to put in the work to turn those weaknesses into strengths then it won’t ever happen. However, as soon as you know what your weaknesses are and you put that work in then you will reap all the rewards.
Think about the weaknesses in a different way
You can also choose recognise your weaknesses in a different way. For example, every weakness has a corresponding strength. Therefore, create a list of all the things you would consider a weakness about yourself, but then choose a top three that you can focus on.
There are many resources online to actually help you with this task so have a look around. But basically you want to find the corresponding strengths to your weaknesses. For example, you might list “unrealistic” as a weakness but a strength of that is “visionary”. Or you might think “indecisive” is a weakness but a strength of that could be “fair-minded”.
Sometimes you just have to look for those hidden strengths in all your weaknesses. By taking a different perspective this also helps you see that what you might consider a weakness could actually be a strength. Similar to a point I mentioned earlier.
There you have it some ways of you recognising your weaknesses and turn them into strengths.
Remember that instead of working to change those weaknesses accept them for what they are, embrace your strengths and work upon those weaknesses. Do not view a weakness as a negative thing.
Do you try to work on your weaknesses?
Thanks for reading,
Gemma Jayne x
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Thanks for this lovely, its something i 100% needed to read! I think my problem is im aware of my weaknesses but procrastinate doing anything about them!
I think that is many peoples problems but recognising that is understanding it and then it is just up to you to do something about it ☺️ xx
Great post and ways to look at our “weaknesses”. Because of all the life coaching I’m doing at the moment I’m trying to steer away from seeing things as a weakness. There are always areas that can be worked on to make your life better and easier though!
Yeah that is a good idea too, I think that is the main point is that it shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing ☺️ thank you xx
This is such a good, inspiring post that definitely got me thinking. If I am honest I think I have a habit of trying to avoid my weaknesses rather than actually taking time to acknowledge and accept them in order for me to be able to improve them. Thank you for sharing! xx
Thank you so much! I think that is what a lot of people do, because that is easier and the hardest thing is acknowledging and then working to improve them ☺️ xxx
This was such a great read and truly needed! I think I know some of them but tend to overlook them. I will try and ask people near me to see if they’re the same and then work on them. Thanks for sharing x
Thank you so much! I am glad it could help and good luck xxx
This is a lovely post! I love tackling my weaknesses and trying to better myself every day. I try and form good habits and ask someone to hold me accountable for the change. Thanks for sharing x
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you so much! That is great that you do that, you seem to be doing that well already ☺️ xx
Great post, it’s very interesting a definitely gets you thinking. It’s so hard to admit your weaknesses but it’s something I really need to try to do.
Thank you so much! It really is and that is the hardest step, but also I think it is to look at a weakness as not a negative thing too ☺️ x
Love this. I especially liked the point about seeing your weaknesses as a ‘to-do’ list – that’s such a great way of thinking about it. Thank you for sharing!
Tash – A Girl with a View
Thank you so much! Yeah I think by looking at it in a different way and thinking of a weakness as not a negative thing then we begin to work better with it 🙂 xx
I definitely try to work on my weaknesses – I know what things could be bettered and set goals to achieve them even if it means asking others for help.
Those are great things to do, thanks for sharing! 🙂 x
I love this way of looking at weaknesses and how to improve on them, I need to tackle my weaknesses and try and get better at certain things! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you so much! Yes, but also remember to see your weaknesses as not negative things and to work with them 🙂 x
A great idea, I love this so much! I have a character trait that is less positive (so maybe not a weakness as such) — stubbornness. Generally, it has always been seen (by me and family) as a negative but I use it when I really need to dig deep and get through extremely tough times. I view it as a strength as it literally got me through 2020 and what is coming in 2021 that I need to get through. Great post!
Thank you so much! That is a great explanation to how it has helped you. I have to admit that I am also stubborn and I know it has always been seen as a negative thing. However, actually by being stubborn it shows great determination, problem-solving skills and optimism in comparison to those that are not stubborn. Therefore, it is just about looking at what you have and seeing that not everything is a weakness 🙂 xx
This was so insightful! I’m actually really bad for trying to hide my flaws in some contexts – at work for example – and I’d never really considered that a negative. I definitely need to reframe how I think about that. I also relate to what you say about working out if it is actually a flaw or just something someone had told us. Lots of food for thought, thanks for posting 😊
Thank you so much! That is great and I am glad it could help you. I think the most important thing is to see our “weaknesses” as not a negative thing 🙂 x