As human beings, we all have virtues and values that we abide with, but all things can’t be good right? That’s why we are equipped with flaws in any aspect of our character and unfortunately, these flaws may have a more noticeable impact than the positive part of us. Our strengths and weaknesses define us and undoubtedly make us who we are but when our weaknesses overpower our strengths, that’s when we should take a step for change. Giving our flaws an importance masks our positive qualities and makes us less efficient as a person.
It’s very difficult to completely eradicate a weakness; sometimes, it could just be a bad habit or a quality that has been attached to you for too long. So, a much better alternative is to turn your weakness into strength! You might wonder if it is possible to turn weakness into strength. Of course, this is a slow process that will take time but the journey is what makes it a path to self-discovery, the act of knowing your mind on a deeper level.
Here is a way to transform those weaknesses into strengths, making you understand yourself better and leading you to become a more wholesome person:
In order to do this, you must first understand yourself on a more personal level. Sometimes, you may not even know hidden qualities about you! A great way to start is to write a list of your qualities, both bad and good. Fold a sheet of paper in half. Label one side “Weaknesses/Bad Points” and the other side “Strengths/Things to be proud of”. Start listing some adjectives, and phrases in each side. Some words in the negative portion can be “disorganized”, “lazy”, “bad articulation”, “chronic procrastinator”, etc. Some in the positive side can be “intelligent”, “creative”, “independent thinker”. Be as unbiased as you can and do this activity in a silent space free of distractions. Also, try to do the weaknesses first so that filling out the strengths will leave you on a more positive note, mentally.
After you have a decent list, match some weaknesses to strengths. Make sure they have some relation to each other to you can focus on how to change them. For example, if you are a procrastinator but you are good at organizing ideas, a solution is to create an organized schedule to manage your time better. Maybe, you can create time slots that force you to finish a task quicker, so slowly, procrastination will dissolve away! Try to be creative and match the qualities to each other, even if they don’t directly correlate.
After you make about 4-5 matches, create personalized solutions that you can try out to embrace your weaknesses and slowly transform them into strengths. This activity can actually be quite reflective and make you go through the process of self-discovery where you learn more about yourself in an authentic manner. Then, try to integrate these solutions into your daily life so that you feel better about yourself and not feel like it becomes a chore.
Self-discovery is an important process that anyone can benefit from. Not only is it a way to learn about the hidden self, but it is a relaxing method for your psyche. Your mental health will greatly benefit as you are accepting yourself the way you are. It shows you are aware of your true self, complete with all vices and virtues, and that’s the truest form of trust there is. The path to self-discovery can be quite challenging but turning your weaknesses into strengths can be a way to start!
By Krithi Nathan