Bhaiyya, we understood what you told us about playing to our strengths,’ said Rinku. ‘But how do we deal with weaknesses?’
‘Yes, bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘I am good at all subjects, but poor at English grammar.’
‘Yes,’ said Rakesh. ‘A couple of our perceived weaknesses can damage our confidence and dilute our strengths. So, to regain your confidence, focus on your strengths, use that competitive advantage and secure yourself.’
‘Yes, bhaiyya,’ said Rinku.
‘Next, view your weaknesses in the right perspective,’ said Rakesh. ‘Just because we have not worked on an area, does not mean we will be bad at it. Improve on them. Instead of calling them ‘weaknesses’ call them work-in-progress strengths. Or unevolved strengths.’
‘That’s a nice way to look at them, bhaiyya,’ said Rinku.
‘Work on the weaknesses that bother you the most. If it’s grammar, take the help of a teacher and soon, you’ll be reasonably good. By focusing 80 per cent on your strengths and 20 per cent on your weaknesses, you gain an edge and tighten areas that compromise you.’
‘Can we convert our weaknesses into strengths, bhaiyya?’ asked Rinku.
‘Yes, of course. Many have. Einstein was considered slow, Amitabh Bachchan’s voice and height were considered weaknesses. Instead of letting the perceptions of others bother them, they embraced their weaknesses and owned them.’
‘Wow,’ said Rinku. ‘So, there are three steps in dealing with weaknesses. Firstly, when we try to hide our weaknesses, they trouble us and weaken our strengths. In the second step, when we accept and work with our weaknesses, they stop troubling us. In the third phase, when we own our weaknesses, they become strengths.’
‘Perfect,’ said Rakesh. ‘When we ignore our weaknesses we operate at 50 per cent capacity. When we own them, we operate at 100 per cent. When we accept ourselves with our limitations, we can use them to our advantage.’
‘Thanks bhaiyya,’ said Rinku.
‘Yes,’ said Rahul. ‘Let’s accept that we need a chai break now!’
Pro Tip: To convert your weaknesses into strengths, accept them and then own them.