All too often we focus on our weaknesses. That may be a blunt statement but it’s true, and it’s due to a common human trait called the ‘negativity bias’. It is how our brains are wired and it’s one of our many survival mechanisms. However, when we are looking to make improvements to ourselves, our lives, or our businesses it might not be so helpful.
When I was made redundant, I wasn’t sure what to do. I knew it was time for a change, but I didn’t know what my next career move should be – so I did a SWOT analysis – on myself. That’s right, I got out my pen and paper and I listed my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. And there it was in black and white, my big fat weakness – anxiety.
Now this is not a blog about mental health but for the sake of this story – I have anxiety. Anxiety which has manifested into agoraphobia. Leaving the house is a challenge at the best of times, impossible at the worst. Sitting there staring at my SWOT analysis with an impressive list of strengths and a great list of opportunities and all I can stare at is my weakness – this is the ‘negativity bias’.
So, what did I do? I ignored the bias and played to my strengths – and here is what happened.
What exactly does it mean to play to your strengths?
play to (one's) strengths
1. To prioritise using one's natural abilities and specific skills, especially by pursuing tasks or goals suited to such skills.
2. To put one in a position that allows them to best use their natural abilities and specific skills.
It is natural to want to ‘fix’ our weaknesses. Firstly, our mind wants to focus on them because of our negativity bias. Then convention tell us to fix them. We’ve been brought up this way – from school to the workplace and any time we are being told to improve – we are always taught to focus on fixing our weakest areas. Playing to your strengths means ignoring this convention and instead focus on using and developing your strengths.
Now this is where I need to make a confession – I didn’t know this when I started focussing on my strengths. I’d heard the saying but I had never thought about it in any detail. I was having a rubbish day, and I didn’t want to focus on my weaknesses, it was demoralising, and I could feel myself being sucked into a black hole. I am too stubborn for that, and I wasn’t having any of it. I got my pen, crossed out my weaknesses and began re-evaluating my strengths.
Why is it important to play to our strengths?
Research shows us the benefits of playing to our strengths. By putting focus on using and developing our strengths we are more likely to reach our goals, we are more motivated, more energised, less stressed, and much happier in our lives. It increases our confidence, our creativity, and our agility. Overall, our businesses also benefit with increased performance, productivity, and a higher chance of success!
Once I’d started focusing on my strengths, it was as if a fog had cleared. I was excited - I could see new possibilities and I was energised and eager to explore more. No longer was I focused on what could hold me back – I was focussed on what would propel me forwards.
How do we find out what our strengths are?
There are many ways to discover your strengths. It’s likely that you already know a few of your strengths but by using these techniques and delving a little deeper you’ll undoubtedly reveal some surprises! Just remember to keep that negative bias at bay.
Ask yourself questions
Take a deep dive into these questions. Think about the why, what, and how and approach them from as many angles as you can think of.
a) What do I love doing?
b) What am I good at?
c) What compliments and feedback have I received in the past?
d) What can I spend hours doing without getting tired?
e) What are my hobbies – why do I enjoy them?
f) What energises me?
g) Which tasks or activities causes me to lose track of time?
h) What do I love about my job?
i) What have been high points in my life? Are there any patterns?
Ask other people questions
It can be helpful to ask other people questions. From experience it helps to explain why you are asking, else this may seem a bit odd! Other people are likely to see things that you do not, ask those closest to you, friends, colleague, and family.
a) Describe me in three words
b) What am I good at?
c) What are my best qualities?
d) When do I seem at my happiest?
Use a personal qualities list
There are plenty of these available online. They list hundreds of traits. Have a read through and circle those that apply to you!
Take a test
There are lots of different tests out there both free and paid. I suggest starting with a free personality test such as 16 personalities and a free skills assessment such as the one from the national careers service.
Try new things
As you try new things you will find other natural talents that have been hidden away. Be curious and try new things.
I discovered that I was highly organised, great at planning, had a strange penchant for tedious tasks, enjoyed research and had a great business acumen. I was empathetic and loved helping people and supporting them through difficult times. I have dogged determination when I set my mind to something and I always ensure I finish what I started. People described me as trustworthy, loyal, professional, fun, kind considerate and sincere. That’s enough blowing of my own trumpet, but you can see just how much you can learn from these exercises!
How can we develop and grow our strengths?
Now we know what our strengths are it’s time to play to them. This is where you will start to see the benefits of playing to your strengths. You will be developing your strengths further and bringing continuous growth. You’ll be doing what you love to do and excelling at it!
Learn
Learn more about your strengths, read about them, take a course, see how far you can push them.
Teach
Teaching others can level up your skills by forcing you to organise your knowledge and recall it quickly and succinctly.
Use
Use your strengths at every opportunity. Exercise your knowledge, utilise your skills.
Expand
Try learning a similar skill, something which uses similar traits or expands on what you already know.
How did I decide to play to my strengths? What was my career move? As you’ve probably guessed - I started Ashwood VA! I was born to be a virtual assistant and to run my own business. It enables me to do what I love, and I get to use my very best skills, traits, and passions everyday.
So, we can ignore our weaknesses?
I’m afraid not, no.
Much like everything in life playing to your strengths is about balance. The key to success is to prioritise your strengths and then overcome your weaknesses.
I haven’t ignored my anxiety (despite crossing it out when I was in a grump). I acknowledge it. I know it is my weakness. I seek the help I need, and I make improvements each day. But it does not control my decisions anymore. I play to my strengths, and I have never felt so fulfilled.
Overcoming your weaknesses doesn’t mean spending all your time fixing them – remember we are prioritising our strengths not our weaknesses.
The trick is to think about which weaknesses are critical to your success. What do you need to meet your goals and achieve your ambitions? Then think about what you need to do. This might mean working on your weakness, making changes, seeking help, doing a course, or outsourcing. For example, if you are an entrepreneur who excels at being the visionary or creator but aren’t so great at managing your diary or mountain of emails – outsource these to us!
You will find that because you are playing to your strengths you are more motivated and confident when it comes to overcoming your weaknesses. You will have the energy to work on them yourself or you will feel more comfortable outsourcing them.
If you are considering outsourcing, why not contact us to see how we can support you, so you can concentrate on playing to your strengths.
