Have you changed a weakness into a strength?
When I was in high school, I made a conscious choice to go into fields that involved writing because it would be harder for me. I was really good at science. But my father was a scientist, and I wanted to do something different. In later years, I somewhat regretted the decision because science would probably have been more lucrative, but I still have life in front of me, so the arts have a chance to pay off. Whether they do or don’t doesn’t matter, since they have enhanced my life immeasurably.
Lately, I’ve been depressed, and more emotionally labile. It is something I never had to deal with before, and I did a lot of whining and moaning and groaning. However, I think that my experience can be turned into a strength because I understand things now that I never could have before. I also can express those feelings pretty clearly, due to that choice I made in high school.
Have you changed a weakness into a strength? I’m not talking about the crap you say in job interviews. I mean something real; something that was seriously undeveloped or even wrong in your life. What was it? How did you turn it into a strength?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
9 Answers
Moving around every two to three years as a child (military brat) was really hard on me. I went to many different schools. I had to learn to fit in fast!
When I became a strategic consultant, I used those skills of learning an environment and its sulture quickly to my benefit. The weakness became a strength.
Generally when I’m experiencing a weakness, I over-compensate and it works out well in the end. When I was pregnant and completing my last year of college, I had very difficult graduate level electives for my biology major. I felt that I wouldn’t be able to get through the coursework so I studied more than usual and got the best grades of all of my 4 years at college. I remember being 8 months pregnant during finals week and there was a 24 hour period where I had 3 finals (in evolutionary biology, advanced biochemistry and ecology) ...I stayed overnight (no one noticed) in the orgo chem lounge so I can sleep but not have to commute back and forth to Brooklyn…that was intense.
The intial fear that goes along with any major health problem can be turned into a strength.It has for me and I am now a complete terror ;)))
Fear of public speaking. Giving presentations is a small but vital part of my job and I still hate standing up in front of groups of unfamiliar people and have had to “just do it”. Doing so has helped me create a long successful career.
@Cruiser I am somewhat the same, I use to be very shy and nervous specially with speeches,one on one tests, being in the display of people basically.
It was not till my junior/senior year of high did I break out I started playing out (guitar) by the patio at first I got nervous just to play then I just relaxed and did it…
like when I had to do some tests for band (alto sax) I felt I could do it by I was so nervous I basically screwed my ownself.
One thing I want to re-visit is doing poetry jam or open mic stuff, I only did 2 one in class and then another in poetry jam competition thing which was really fun man…I got up to the mic reading my poem from the paper shaking like a leaf LOL but I did the whole thing….least if anything I held my voice strong, posture not so much hahaha.
Hey cruiser, how did you get more comfortable with such things? I’d like to know :)
Just to add though, I am far better now compared to say 2 or 3 years ago a lot of things don’t get to me as much, and I enjoy playing in front or with other people/musicians.
My weakness was I was very shy when younger. I hated being the centre of attention.
Now I have turned that around completely. I am outgoing, and enjoy life much much more.
On another note, you said you mentioned science and art. My daughter combined the two by doing a degree in ‘fashion and textiles’. She did the science part on the structures, wearing qualities, dyeing strength etc of fabrics, but did the arts part on drawing, designing etc on clothes, bags etc. Perhaps you could also combine the two.
As a teen, I learned to turn my social awkwardness into an advantage. I simply ignored all social situations and hit the books. I began college at age 14 and by 21 I had four degrees and an Army commission.
In the service I did the same thing; instead of drinking in the O-Club, I spent my time studying and problem-solving. I studied the Tech and Field Manuals, found that in many cases that they were written not for efficiency but for the profitability of spare-parts suppliers. I certainly made enemies in private corporations by rewriting manuals to allow for the repair of components rather than scrapping and requisitioning new.
Rather than lengthy staff meetings full of posturing and bullshit, I instituted simple accountability; checklists, plan-of-the day and get out there and do it. I led by example rather than words. I spent the greatest part of my day in the field, making sure that the troops had what they needed, in materiel and training, to perform the mission.
Most of this I attribute to my discomfort with social situations. I preferred to be doing something rather than trying to look impressive. Efficiency and readiness ratings speak for themselves. Despite being resented by my peers, I was promoted ahead of the curve at each step in my career, which ended by medical retirement after 29 years in uniform.
@partyparty I found a different way to combine them. I’m a social scientist.
@Steve_A For me it still is pure adrenaline that get’s me through the presentations! I did though write everything out word for word and then practiced the presentation with line notes and then prepared a final outline. I always make sure to have an opening and closing joke appropriate for the intended audience.
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
