How often are we told to focus on improving our weaknesses? This is the apparent formula to becoming a “well-rounded” individual.

Well I think that if you want to be a “well-rounded” individual, eat a Mars Bar each day!

Wouldn’t you rather be a razor sharp individual; an expert in your field? Wouldn’t it be better you spend your time working in the area of your strengths, building on them so that you can focus your efforts and get better results?

Take some time to think of a couple of people that you would consider experts. I can guarantee that all these people devoted their lives to developing their natural strengths, and not working on those that they weren’t so good at.

Consider Sally Pearson… do you think she became a World Champion hurdler by spending time working on her shot put? No she played to her natural talent and invested her time perfecting every aspect of her hurdling race, from the start to the finish.

Without natural talent it is unlikely that you will ever perfect an area of weakness, you will become average at best.

Recognise that you are able to do some things better than I can, and I can do some things better than you. Then use this knowledge to partner up with a team who is strong where you are weak. Allow yourself to delegate the tasks that you don’t enjoy or find it comes naturally, to someone who does.

For more help in identifying your strengths, take a look at Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham

Are you playing to your strengths?