Summary

The web content provides guidance on identifying personal strengths and weaknesses as a foundation for success and self-improvement.

Abstract

The article "How To Identify Your Strengths And Your Weaknesses" emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in achieving success. It suggests that recognizing one's unique skills and talents can help individuals create their life purpose. The author shares personal experiences, such as winning writing awards, to illustrate the value of focusing on one's strengths rather than common traits like punctuality. The article also addresses the inevitability of weaknesses, using the author's struggle with math as an example, and recommends leveraging others' strengths to compensate for personal shortcomings. Practical advice includes taking personality quizzes, seeking feedback from trusted friends or family, keeping a journal, and reading specific books on character strengths to further explore and understand one's abilities and limitations.

Opinions

The author believes that purpose in life is not predestined but is crafted by identifying and utilizing one's strengths.
Strengths should be unique and exceptional skills, such as writing or playing an instrument, rather than general attributes like productivity.
Weaknesses, like the author's difficulty with math, should not define one's capabilities; instead, one should collaborate with others whose strengths compensate for those weaknesses.
Self-assessment tools like the 16Personalities quiz are recommended for discovering personal strengths and weaknesses.
The author values the perspective of friends and family in identifying personal attributes that one might not recognize in themselves.
Journaling is encouraged for self-reflection and as a legacy for future generations.
The article endorses three specific books for those seeking professional guidance on character strengths and personal development.

How To Identify Your Strengths And Your Weaknesses

Using self-knowledge as a floorboard for success

We’ve all been there. You’re sitting at an interview, things are going good, but then they spring that one question, “tell me about your strengths?”

“My strengths? Umm, well — I’m pretty good at being on time.”

“Okay, well what are your weaknesses?

“My weaknesses? Umm, coffee? No, wait. Multi-tasking?”

I always used to have trouble answering those two questions. What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? Why does it even matter?

Knowing Your Strengths Is Essential For Finding Purpose.

What skills do you have to contribute back to society? What makes you different, or weird? What are your superpowers?

I spent a long time searching for my purpose. The truth is, I don’t have one. Neither do you. We’re not born with some destined purpose to fulfill. No, we make our purpose in life, and we do that by identifying our strengths.

I’m a reasonably competent writer (or so I think), so why not make writing my purpose? What’s worked before will work again, so why not do something that I’m good at? If writing’s my strength, then why shouldn’t I use it to do something remarkable?

Ask Yourself, “What’s Worked Before?”

In 2012 I won an award for a writing competition. Then again, in 2014, and also in 2015. I’ve won multiple writing awards but not much else, so it only makes sense that I stick with what’s worked before instead of wasting time trying to improve a skill I might be adequate at, at best.

Being productive or punctual is a lousy excuse for a strength. Anyone can be productive, or punctual, but no, not everyone can write.

Your strength should be something that’s not found in every individual.

Cooking
Making spreadsheets
Playing an instrument

These are all great examples of good strengths to have. Not everybody’s good at cooking, and I certainly don’t know jack about making spreadsheets. Remember, a strength is something that makes you unique. What are you good at?

What Are Your Weaknesses?

Everyone’s got their form of kryptonite. Mine happens to be math. Hey, what can I say? As a ninth-grade dropout, I didn’t get much of a chance to learn. I know, no excuses, but don’t ask me how an x or y got into the equation.

I could spend my entire life feeling down about how I didn’t spend the time to learn the square root of six (what’s a square root?), or I could (god forbid) spend hundreds of hours trying to work on my weakness. The solution? Neither the former nor the latter. Instead, find someone who’s strength is your weakness. That’s why I have someone else do my taxes.

Here Are Some Ways To Discover Your Strengths And Your Weaknesses

Take A Personality Quiz

16Personalities is the only site that I can recommend. Not because there aren’t other good ones out there — no — but because they are so accurate. I’ve had dozens try out the free 16Personalities quiz, and it’s on-spot, every time. Give it a shot!

Ask A Friend Or Family Member

Find someone that you trust and spend enough time around to know about your strengths and weaknesses. It’s always refreshing to ask for someone else’s point of view. Maybe you’ll discover a hidden strength that could move you forward, or a weakness that might be holding you back.

Use A Journal

There’s always time for reflection. Ask my wife; I’m always preaching about the benefits of using a journal. I’m not one to give unwanted advice, but I firmly believe that every human-being should consistently write in a journal. Why? Because, I mean, why not? Not only is journaling good for self-reflection — studying your thoughts — but also, you’ll have an entire log for others to read after you die. I want my kids to know everything — but not until I’m gone!

Read These Three Books

Are you still having trouble identifying your strengths and your weaknesses? Maybe you need a little professional advice. Try reading these three books (not affiliate links)

The Power Of Character Strengths by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath
Character Strengths Interventions by Ryan M. Niemiec
StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath