Focus on your strengths

Every person comes with certain strengths and weaknesses. That’s a factory-provided package deal that comes with this earthly body of ours courtesy of our Maker.

Some people may be weak in public speaking; others may be good at it.

Some people are so artistic they bring life and beauty to an empty canvass; others are like me - can’t draw a straight line even with the help of a ruler.

Others are good in reading but poor in math.

Others are good with both song and dance.

Strengths and weaknesses - we all have them.

Now here’s the key to maximizing your strengths-weaknesses set: Focus on your strengths.

I have heard some people say that we are to work on our weakness to make it into a strength. This is important, this is noble.. but this is also not very practical. Because our fast-paced life and the scarcity of time do not give us the luxury to do it.

Conventional wisdom says that we should work on improving our weaknesses, but this could turn out to be a terrible waste of time, talent and opportunity! And no matter how hard we try, it’s highly unlikely that we can go beyond average in those areas we are really unskilled in.

Highly successful entrepreneurs, as well as top scientists, artists, athletes and entertainers throughout history, have achieved greatness by focusing on their areas of strength. The good news is, everybody has a natural aptitude in a particular area.

It took us a long time to realize that man can’t be justly labeled as intelligent or dumb based on IQ alone. The theory of Multiple Intelligences states that there are other areas, aside from the traditional notion of intelligence, that people could excel in. These areas are where we should fix our focus on.

We should be honest about our areas of strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to our strengths, we should highlight, focus and work on them to provide greater benefit to everyone in the organization. When it comes to our weaknesses, we should ask for help. But the ability to ask for help comes only after the humility of admitting that we need it. Trouble comes when we hide our weaknesses. And when a situation blows up in our face, we point the finger to somebody else.

Let me tell you a story.

A young couple decided to wed. As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive. Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other.

The groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice. “Dad,” he said, “I am deeply concerned about the success of my marriage.”

His father replied, “Don’t you love this girl?”

“Oh yes, very much,” he said. “But you see, I have very smelly feet, and I’m afraid that my fiancé will be put off by them.”

“No problem,” said the dad, “All you have to do is wash your feet as often as possible and always wear socks, even to bed.” To the groom-to-be, this seemed a workable solution.

Now the bride-to-be, overcoming her fear, decided to take her own problem to her mother. “Mom,” she said, “When I wake up in the morning, my breath is truly awful.”

“Honey,” her mother consoled her, “Everyone has bad breath in the morning.”

“No, you don’t understand. My morning breath is so bad, I’m afraid that my fiancé will not want to sleep in the same room with me.”

Her mother said simply, “Try this: In the morning, get straight out of bed and head for the kitchen to make breakfast. While the family is busy eating, move on to the bathroom and brush your teeth. The key is not to say a word until you’ve brushed your teeth.”

“I shouldn’t say ‘Good morning’ or anything?” the daughter asked.

“Not a word,” her mother affirmed.

“Well, it’s certainly worth a try,” the bride-to-be thought.

The loving couple were finally married. Not forgetting the advice each had received, he with his perpetual socks and she with her morning silence, they managed quite well. That is, until about six months later.

Shortly before dawn one morning, the husband woke up with a start to find that one of his socks had come off. Fearful of the consequences, he frantically searched the bed. This of course woke up his wife, and without thinking, she asked, “What on earth are you doing?”

“Oh, my,” he replied, “You’ve swallowed my sock!”

Be honest with your weaknesses.

And don’t spend a lot of time working on your weaknesses that you neglect working on your strengths. Do not focus on your deficiencies. Develop your natural talents instead. This is rewarding and motivating, allowing you to continually realize higher and higher levels of ability, achievement and success. And this lets you experience the immense satisfaction that comes with being superb at something.

(Send “Inspire” to 288 for Smart or Sun subscribers and 2889 for Globe to receive your daily inspirational quotes and thoughts from Francis. Visit facebook.com/franciskong 2 for more details.)