
I just finished up a nifty little book called Strengths Finder 2.0, by New York Times Bestselling author Tom Rath. Yeah, it's one of those self-help books that strives to help readers discover their best selves.
One thing I liked about the book: that Rath believes we all spend *way* too much time focusing on our weaknesses -- and straining to make them into strengths -- instead of honing our strengths to perfection.
Come on. You know you do it, too. Because you've been trained, since a wee tyke, to feel bad about your failings -- and to not, conversely, celebrate your God-given talents. Even Rath admits to doing so, after buying into the "You can be anything you want to be, if you just try hard enough" mantra:
"Like most people, I embraced this maxim at a young age. Along with thousands of other kids, I spent a good chunk of my childhood trying to be the next Michael Jordan. Every day, I practiced shooting hoops for three to four hours. I went to basketball camps each summer and tried in every way possible to be a great player. No matter how hard I worked at it, though, becoming an NBA star simply wasn't in the cards for me. After giving 100% of my effort for more than five years, I couldn't even make the junior varsity team."
Ouch!
My biggest failing? That I can't navigate my way through higher math. Geometry? Gag! Trig? Someone pass me a fork! Because of this, I wasted a lot of years feeling like an idiot. (Now, no longer caring, I simply turn to my very math-smart hubby and ask him to figure out any math-related problems!)
But back to Strengths Finder 2.0. Within this small book are 34 "strength themes" -- with just enough info on each to help readers identify their top five. In case you're wondering, I chose six: Achiever, Activator, Context, Relator, Responsibility, and Woo. To understand what that says about me, beyond the fact that I like people and projects, you'll just have to pick up a copy of the book. ;-)
But I will leave you with a life tip from Rath -- which I hope motivates you to stop and take stock of your strengths. Don't waste another day trying to be somebody you're not. Be your magnificent self!!
"You cannot be anything you want to be," writes Rath, "but you
can be a lot more of who you already are."
Whooot!
