Do you typically focus more on what’s wrong with you, rather than what is right with you?
3 Misconceptions
You’re not alone.
Psychology and psychiatry have largely become about repairing dysfunction and fixing what’s wrong with us. But there is another way to look at weakness.
Abe Brown at Certified Flourishing Coach points out three misconceptions about weakness.
Misconception #1 – You will grow the most in your areas of greatest weakness.
Fixing weakness does not automatically produce strength.
You will grow the most in your area of your greatest strength. As you grow, you become more aware of and comfortable with who you are.
“…to avoid your strengths and to focus on your weaknesses isn’t a sign of diligent humility. It is almost irresponsible. By contrast the most responsible, the most challenging, and, in the sense of being true to yourself, the most honourable thing to do is face up to the strength potential inherent in your talents and then find ways to realize it.”
Spend more energy growing your strengths and less energy fixing your weaknesses.
Misconception #2 – Life would be better if difficult circumstances are reduced or removed.
The question is not how to prevent all problems, but how to flourish despite difficulty.
It is not the absence of stress or adversity that causes you to succeed or to flourish. Flourishing occurs when you learn to effectively deal with difficulty.
If you learn to thrive during adversity, your success will be much more sustainable than simply learning to flourish when there is no adversity.
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me…. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”– Walt Disney
Misconception #3 – Fixing what’s wrong with automatically cause you to flourish and thrive.
Getting rid of anger, fear, and depression does not automatically bring peace, love, and joy.
The absence of mental illness does not imply the presence of mental health.
Do you tend to focus on what’s wrong with you rather than what’s right with you? Post a comment about a strength you see in yourself. That’s not bragging. That is giving glory to God for the way God is building you.
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