Morning Motivator - Maximizing the Best YOU

"You cannot be anything you want to be - but you can be a lot more of who you already are."
- Tom Rath, StrengthsFinder 2.0

I have started reading a new book this week called StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. I have found this book very ENLIGHTENING about the way people work, live and learn. The core concept being around utilizing your STRENGTHS and dismissing your WEAKNESSES.

As I am reading, the book makes mention of how parents FOCUS on the poor grades a child may bring home from school and take CORRECTIVE action to pull that grade to a manageable level (B or C), while OVERLOOKING the exceptional grades in other areas, further FOCUSING their efforts on ENHANCING the childs ability to excel in that area. Essentially saying - we spend all of our TIME and ENERGY trying to make our weaknesses up to par and as a result FAIL to MAXIMIZE our strengths. Why are we so OBSESSED with overcoming our weaknesses?

In reading last night, the book offers a question - "How much more HAPPY, PRODUCTIVE and EFFECTIVE would you be if you were able to focus on your talents/strengths at work, as opposed to being forced to MANAGE your weaknesses?" In work, we have a natural ability to ACHIEVE, maybe it is selling, training, accounting or even client services. We also have DEFICIENCIES, for some, its paperwork, follow up, managing client challenges, communicating effectively. Interestingly, our culture focuses so HEAVILY upon the weakness, often we FAIL to every utilize our strengths. Are you MAXIMIZING your strengths?

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
We all have a cross to bear at work - for me its detailed paperwork. I don't like it, I don't want to do it, and I am not interested in spending time to find a way to "fix myself" so I can be proficient at it.

For me, an assistant, someone who LOVES paperwork and details, would be a great COMPLIMENT to my strengths in filling the gaps that I am not able or unwilling to do. While most companies recognize the validity of similar arguments, many are often slow to take ACTION (if ever) in helping talented employees MAXIMIZE their talents by providing complimentary team members.

Realizing that almost EVERY company will NEVER give you the help you need, the alternative is to use systems and technology to automate and support your needs. Take a few minutes to recognize what you are WEAK at, write it down and spend 1 hour each week focusing on how to get AWAY from it...ASAP! Spend time REFINING your natural talents - you will find greater HAPPINESS, PRODUCTIVITY and SUCCESS!

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


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