“How to Turn Limitations into Strengths” By Connie Podesta

So it’s a no brainer that we need to leverage our strengths.  If…we even know what they are.  Unfortunately most people are so focused on what they can’t do or wish they could do, that they don’t even take time to realize what they can bring to the table.  So step one.  Figure out exactly what it is you do really well.  And be proud of it.  Let people know about it.  Find ways to bring those talents into your job.  Your relationships.  Your quest for success.  Even your health.

Here’s a tip:  Don‘t wait for people to recognize and acknowledge what you do that’s awesome.  Believe me, they are too busy with their own stuff to even realize what you are doing—they are just trying to survive in a crazy, insane world. You have got to be your own best friend when it comes to spreading the word that what YOU do is vital and brings added value to the situation.

Now to the topic at hand — limitations.  We all have them.  No matter how hard we try to ignore them. Rationalize them.   Blame our parents for them.  Make excuses for them (not our fault we do this!).   And even justify them (I was just born this way—can’t help it).  Bottom line:  limitations have to be recognized and accounted for—no way out of this one—IF…you truly want to be happy and successful.  The worst thing you can do is act like they don’t exist or defend why you have them. Let’s play instead by grown up rules.  Step one, we own our limitations and then we strategically plan how we can change them, fix them, improve them, get rid of them, live with them or, even better yet, see if there are any that you just might be able to turn into strengths.

“How is that even possible?” you are saying.  Well take me for example.  I was always getting into trouble in high school.  Got kicked out of class more times that I can count.  Why?  Ha!  For talking of course!  More than one teacher told me I would never amount to anything because I couldn’t concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes.  Lack of attention span and constant talking were two huge limitations—both contributing to my lack of success in school.  Until…another teacher figured out how to turn my “weaknesses” into strengths.  He signed me up for the speech and debate teams.  Within a year I was excelling in school and leading the debate team in first place wins. Turns out, what was a limitation in one situation turned out to be a strength in high demand in another.

How about you?  Do you have any imitations that could be viewed as strengths if the situation were different?  Think about it.  You might be surprised at a few things you do that seem to be keeping you back that just might work to your advantage if you used them differently.  It is definitely worth a try.