"Vista's Little Voice": How to Turn Weaknesses into Strengths
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Each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses. There is no shame in having shortcomings, but it seems that some friends cannot face their true selves calmly.
For example, when applying for a job, many interviewers will ask a question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
In order to find a job smoothly, many people will deliberately conceal their shortcomings and make specious remarks. For example, “I don’t control my time very well because I’m perfectionistic and always want to make things perfect.” On the surface, this statement seems to be about a shortcoming, but in fact it is meant to show that I am serious and responsible. But is this really what you are saying? Not necessarily.
As I said just now, there is no shame in having shortcomings. If we can face our own shortcomings or limitations calmly, we will naturally have the opportunity to turn our weaknesses into strengths.
I have thought about this problem before and tried to make myself stronger through some efforts!
For example, I would start by taking stock of all my shortcomings, research them thoroughly, and create a plan to overcome them. In addition to detailing what I want to achieve, I also find someone I want to learn from.
Of course, it’s great to take stock, plan, and act, and I encourage everyone to do the same! But later I also discovered that some things cannot be done by force. Instead of thinking about “making up for shortcomings”, perhaps “strengthening” is more important.
Have you ever heard of “[Short Board Theory](https://wiki.mbalib.com/zh-tw/Barrel Principle)”? This is a theory proposed by American management scientist Laurence J. Peter (Laurence J.Peter). Simply put, it means how much water a barrel can hold does not depend on the tallest board, but the shortest board.
Weakness theory refers to the weaknesses of each person and organization, which will be the key to success or failure. It is important to make up for our own shortcomings and shortcomings. However, as the times progress, we may not need to be proficient in everything. Instead, we must fully utilize our core skills and amplify our strengths.
The founder of Huawei [Ren Zhengfei] (https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren Zhengfei) also said that blindly making up for one’s own shortcomings without enhancing one’s own advantages is one of the reasons why 70% of people become mediocre.
In addition, Apple, as everyone is familiar with it, is a technology company that has applied the long board theory to perfection. With their resources and capabilities, it would be no problem if they wanted to adopt an integrated business model of design, manufacturing and marketing. However, they attach great importance to the user experience of their products. Over the years, they have only focused on creating their own company’s patents, trademarks, and copyrights, and they have achieved remarkable results!
The well-known writer Malcolm Gravel wrote in “[Small Victory: How can the weak find an advantage and turn defeat into victory?” ](https://www.books.com.tw/exep/assp.php/vista/products/0010620158?utm_source=vista&utm_medium=ap-boo The book “ks&utm_content=recommend&utm_campaign=ap-202201)” also tells us: The strong may not be strong, and the weak may not be weak; the advantages we think may be a trap, and the disadvantages we think contain opportunities!
In everyone’s life, they are faced with powerful, seemingly indestructible invisible giants - whether it is their own physical disabilities, distinct social classes, unreasonable discrimination, and disparity in strength competition… In front of giants, we are all weak. We often only see our own fragility, but ignore our hidden advantages.
Recently I was reading the book “[Reverse Engineering, the secret to both you and me becoming excellent] (https://bit.ly/3HaAyBe)”, and it happened that the story of Malcolm Gravel was also told in the book. Many people know Malcolm Gravel because of his first book “[Ignition Trends: How Small Changes Can Cause Pandemics]” (https://bit.ly/3HfWCdQ) published in 2000. As soon as the book was published, it appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, where it stayed for four hundred weeks. At a time when paper was expensive in Luoyang, the publication of this book not only helped Malcolm Gravel become a famous writer, but also many writers wanted to crack the code of his success.
But do you think Malcolm Gladwell has found the successful writing formula from the beginning? Not really. At first, he looked for writing models everywhere, and then imitated them, causing his own works to be full of shadows of others.
Obviously, it is difficult to succeed just by imitating others without originality.
Malcan Gladwell is just the best example. He was originally a reporter for the “Washington Post”, so he was very good at using concise words to explain the news. However, Malcolm Gladwell later switched to the “New Yorker” magazine. This job change was quite difficult for him.
Even though he is a good writer, it took him a lot of exploration and hard work to create a narrative technique that combines thoughts and stories, and he began to get used to the writing method of often 6,000 words. Of course, I don’t need to say more about his story after he became famous overnight in the literary world! Friends who are interested can search online.
Speaking of book publishing, I have previously read a book written by a Japanese author [Ken Watase](https://bossmurmur.com/4126/Ken Watase: If you don’t even like yourself, how can others like you/), the title is “Can’t let go, think too much, you can be good like this”. At first glance, you might think this is a chicken soup for the soul kind of book, but that’s not exactly the case!
This author is a well-known, extremely popular lecturer and best-selling author, but he is timid and timid, and it took some adjustment before he found his own way.
He told everyone that there are no good or bad characters, only differences. Any character weaknesses can be excavated from which character strengths can be found. Even a taciturn person can become the top salesperson. In other words, as long as we learn to develop appropriately according to our own characteristics, we can become better!
Instead of spending countless time and energy on the desire to have “zero shortcomings”, the reward will only be “zero” in the end, because the “innate” character is not easy to change. What is even more frightening is that in the end, you will lose yourself due to excessive pressure, and even lose your precious health.
Ken Watase pointed out that instead of spending your life trying to change your shortcomings, it is better to spend your energy on enriching yourself and developing your strengths. This is the right choice! After all, if you want to stand out in a group, you often have to rely on your unique talents and strengths.
The author reminds us: If you don’t even like yourself, how can others like you? Many times, there are many strengths hidden within our weaknesses, but we just don’t know it. So maybe we should change the way we look at ourselves instead of simply wanting to change ourselves!
Ken Watase revealed in the book that the reason why he was able to reduce interpersonal anxiety and then develop his own successful life was actually following the following six secrets:
- Face the “real self” - analyze your own “stressor” characteristics; how to avoid other people’s opinions.
- Like the “imperfect self” - don’t work too hard; find out your unique talents.
- Learn “self-expression skills” - how to be yourself; communication skills to show weakness skillfully; tear down the “high walls” that trap yourself.
- Consolidate “self-characteristics” - develop your strengths according to your characteristics; learn to reject others; how to deal with group-self relationships.
- Use the “gift of becoming an expert” - don’t set limits on yourself; explore your talents; focus on what you are good at.
- Recognize that “you are irreplaceable” - know how to change your mind; acknowledge your own failures; and enrich your strengths.
For example, in my case, I am actually an introvert. Although in the past, due to work, whether it was hosting events, interviewing entrepreneurs, or handling certain important matters, I often had to be on the front line. But in fact, I know that my personality is not so lively and unrestrained. Maybe I am better at doing some staff work.
Therefore, I began to talk to the world through writing, and even hosted a Podcast program to share my views with everyone. As Ken Watase mentioned in his book, we must first face our true selves and like our imperfect selves, and then learn the ability to express ourselves, thereby consolidating our own characteristics. As long as you don’t set limits on yourself, you can use your talents as an expert to create an irreplaceable version of yourself!
It is true that each of us is an independent individual and must have our own strengths and weaknesses. In fact, I want to tell you: It’s not just about turning weaknesses into strengths, but we should learn to face our true selves and try to find a way to get along with the world.
Okay, today’s program comes to an end. I hope you will like today’s “Vista’s Little Voice”. If you have any questions or ideas, please leave a message to me. Of course, if you have a better way to turn your weaknesses into strengths, I look forward to having you share it with me!
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Further reading
- “Vista’s Little Voice”: Vista Reading 1/30/2022 - 2/5/2022
- “The Little Voice of Vista”: How to Prepare to Work from Home
- “The Little Voice of Vista”: How to achieve your goals
