Life is much easier if you play to your strengths.
When I worked for Gallup many years ago, they had a saying, “you can’t put in what God left out.” Many of us spend too much effort trying to be what we are not instead of focusing on what makes us truly special. We all have natural strengths and weaknesses. Some people are excellent at details, while others grasp the big picture effortlessly. While some individuals excel at quick thinking, others thrive on a more methodical approach. A few of us have the physical ability to be professional athletes, while others are better at reporting and analyzing the events on the field. The list is endless. I believe every one of us has gifts and talents that separate us from the pack.
When we follow our natural instincts and use our strengths, life tends to run more smoothly. There is less stress and angst over outcomes. Instead of struggling with what is required, we feel self-confident in our ability to get the job done. I’ve always believed that to be exceptional at something, you must not only enjoy it and have a passion for it but also feel like you have the potential to be great at it in the first place.
Unfortunately, throughout most of our education and work experience, we leave the role of identifying where we are falling short in the hands of others. They are also the ones pushing us to improve in areas where we could be mediocre at best. When you work for someone else, it is rare that you will only ever get to do those things you are good at. However, smart bosses understand that they will get better results if they identify and play to someone’s strengths.
We must also be honest with ourselves and others about our strengths and weaknesses. Such transparency is the key to being able to succeed. If you only ever do your job to get a paycheck, you will inevitably lose interest, get frustrated, and achieve less than stellar results. But if you show up to work every day with a purpose, feel well-suited to what you are doing, and see yourself making a positive difference, you will be amazed by what’s possible.
It is much easier to focus on what God included than what He left out.
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