be extraordinary rather than average

Develop your strengths rather than improve on your weaknesses - AKA BE Extraordinary rather than average - #Unlock #Ignite #Transform #MotivationMonday

Laura Mariani

ThePeopleAlchemist Edit: Business & Lifestyle Experimentation for #TheWomanAlchemist #SmashYourCeiling #MotivationMonday - Be extraordinary rather than average

In one of my previous motivational blogs, I talked about working on your strengths but protecting your side, AKA BE Extraordinary rather than average, as boxers do, which deserves further exploration.

THE WHY

Firstly repetition is critical until the learning becomes second nature. Secondly, the more you look for weaknesses, the more you find them. Finally, it is easier, faster and far more rewarding. Let me explain. When we want to improve something about ourselves, we tend to work on weaknesses, thinking that flaws are more changeable than strengths. However, when we focus on developing our strengths, we grow faster and are happier, less stressed, and more confident. So if you're finding that you're invariably failing or falling short of your goals, it is time to improve where you're already strong rather than focusing on improving in the areas where you need to improve. Everybody tells you you must work hard on your weaknesses to improve your life, performance, etc. But the point is you can work hard on them every day, and you'll become, at most, what? Just about average. If you work on what comes naturally to you, you can achieve maximum results and become extraordinary with minimum effort. To explain, let's say you have a weakness where you are a four out of ten and a strength where you are a seven out of ten. It would take you a while and lots of dedication to move that four into six or a seven to discover that many people are 'naturally' a seven at the same thing. But moving a seven or eight to a ten (or twelve, heck, let's be bold) is easy, and it would take a little bit of time too, but you would be way better than anybody else. It is not that you need to ignore your weaknesses and not try to improve at all. Instead, think like a boxer: protect your side and work on what makes you vulnerable to minimise risks.

What Strengths to improve

What strengths should you improve? Well, it depends on your career aspirations or life goals and what's important to you. Start paying attention. If people talk your ear off, you might be a good listener. Or, if people consistently come to you for advice, you might be a good leader or problem-solver. Life shows you your strengths daily.

Develop and Grow

After identifying/choosing the strengths you want to develop, create a plan for growing those strengths. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or complicated. Every day (or week), think about ways to use the identified strengths more than you did the previous week. By doing so, you can gradually grow the percentage of time you spend on your strengths at work or in life. Additionally, you can also develop related skills. For example, learn something that improves your core strength, even if that secondary skill never becomes a primary area of focus for you. When developing complementary skills, it also helps to consider your long-term goals. What are the necessary skills to fulfil your future career/life ambitions? Use your strengths by pushing the people at work toward them and away from your weaknesses. Look for more training around your strengths. Try to be included in teams or projects that could use your strengths. Spend time with colleagues who share one of your strengths and are even more adept than you at applying it. After all, the more you use your strengths at work, the more people will recognise you for those strengths—and they may even start coming to you anytime there's a need for someone with your unique skill set. Et voilà, you'll be extraordinary rather than average ( and known as such). #followme #like #share Business & Lifestyle Experimentation Blog for #TheWomanAlchemist #SmashYourCeiling
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Laura Mariani Best Selling Author, Content Creator and Change & Transformation Expert

Hi there, I hope you enjoyed this post. Please do provide me with feedback.

I want to hear ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’. If you disagree with me or want to provide a different perspective, leave a comment. Tell me what’s on your mind.

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Laura xxx

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in my posts are ‘affiliate links‘. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, for example as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and absolutely would recommend to my readers.

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