assess strengths

you've probably spent years trying to fix what's wrong with you. bad at math? take more math classes. terrible at public speaking? join toastmasters. can't stay organized? buy another planner. what if that entire approach is backwards?

the weakness trap

society conditions you to focus on deficiencies. school grades you on your worst subjects. performance reviews highlight "areas for improvement." the self-help industry sells you solutions to problems you might not even need to solve.

meanwhile, your actual strengths — the things that come naturally, that energize you, that make you valuable — sit neglected because they don't feel like they need attention.

know your top 10

sit down and write out your top 10 strengths. not skills — strengths. the difference matters. a skill is something you've learned to do. a strength is something that feels almost effortless, something you'd do even if nobody paid you.

if you struggle with this exercise, take a formal strengths assessment. gallup's cliftonstrengths or the VIA character strengths survey can give you language for things you've always felt but never articulated.

delegate, don't compensate

here's the leadership insight most people miss: you don't have to be good at everything. great leaders identify their weaknesses and delegate them to people whose strengths fill those gaps. the same principle applies to your personal life.

bad at bookkeeping? hire an accountant. terrible cook? meal delivery service. the goal isn't to become a well-rounded mediocrity — it's to become exceptional at what you're already naturally good at.

take the first step

write the list today. ten strengths. be honest and be generous with yourself. then look at how much of your current life is actually built around those strengths versus fighting against your weaknesses.

if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.