Even though each of us has at least one thing we’re good at, it’s human nature to dwell on the things we’re not so good at. As a result, the inadequate feelings about what we’re not so good at can overshadow and diminish the ability for us to shine.
A few years ago, I wrote a blog post, Play to Your Strengths. In a nutshell, I wrote about how fulfillment comes from discovering our strengths (see my post for one way to determine your character strengths) and engaging these strengths in everyday life whenever possible.
Unfortunately, I soon forgot about the wisdom reflected in that post and fell back into feeling bad about my “weaknesses” instead of playing to and building on my strengths.
That is, until I recently read this clever blog post, Discover Your Superpowers and Stop Obsessing about Your Kryptonite. The author, Josh Linkner, likens the talent or gift that each person possesses to the superpower of each superhero.
Linkner writes: “True heroes play to their strengths. They spend a disproportionate amount of time being the absolute best at a small number of things rather than trying to master every skill . . . Can you imagine Superman hunched over at the local saloon, unwilling to leap tall buildings because he’s bummed out over his one weakness? Instead, he’s identified his shortcomings and doesn’t let it hold him back. He’s learned to accept and avoid kryptonite so he can get on with saving the world.
Accepting the things I’m not so good at is the part of the equation I was missing. It’s only when I accept those things that I can let them be (allowing them to make me uniquely me) and turn my attention to nurturing and utilizing my superpowers—for good, of course.