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Strengths and Weaknesses

by don21stc
11 replies
23 August

Hi,
How many times do people say something like 'one of her strengths is that she's so caring' or 'one of his weaknesses is that he's always in a hurry'?
My personal view is that there's hardly anything which is always a strength or a weakness - what we all have are many characteristics which can be strengths or weaknesses depending on the circumstances.
For example, being a caring person may be great for those who are being cared for but are you neglecting yourself? Being in a hurry may irritate other people but maybe that person is the one who always gets things done?
We would all recognise that the word 'weakness' has a good deal of negativity to it, but my opinion is that it's just the other side of the coin from 'strength' which is generally thought of as being positive.
Nowadays, I prefer to use the word 'characteristic' because I'm realising that if I recognise what charcteristics I've got, I can use them in a way that could benefit me and/or others rather than the opposite.
So far the only characteristic which is always positive that I've identified in myself is that I've got a good memory. I don't think that one has any down side but, for example, another characteristic is that I work hard - so hard that I forget to work smart!
Have any other Warriors got an angle on this or am I allowing my imagination to confuse me?

Don
#strengths #weaknesses
  • Profile picture of the author edmltw
    My strength is that i am determined.

    My weakness is that i do not know which way to start.

    xD

    hhelp~!

    Regards,
    Edmund
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  • Profile picture of the author Jack Chua
    Well strengths for me are my characteristics that would make me a better person plus a person that can help others through that strength. Weaknesses are the things that can not make me grow or those that can harm other people. That's how I see it.
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    Jack Chua
    Professional Appointment Setter
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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Hi Don,

    I don't believe you're allowing your imagination to confuse your self. To me, you are
    using your mind and exploring perspective and all the various implications. I'm not a
    linguist, not by a stretch, but our language has so many words that have different
    meanings, implications, etc depending on the context.

    Also, meanings can be altered depending on one's perspective. I've thought about things
    like this quite a bit, from time to time, and it can get a little maddening. Often, or maybe
    even usually, there is no concrete resolution other than to tack a caveat onto it and
    move on. Unless you like driving your self a little batty.

    A 'weakness' can be viewed as something a person does not do very well. On the other
    hand, if a person is trying to use that 'weakness', then it could be said that person is
    exercising it and trying to improve, or become stronger. So that would be a positive
    thing, or could even be said to be a strength because that person perseveres even with
    his/her 'weakness.'

    Does that make sense?

    You're also touching on the concept of western duality, or eastern yin/yang principles.
    Two sides to the coin; on the other hand, etc.

    But from a kind of 'mind operational' point, one's perspective or point of reference will
    determine everything. It will determine which fork in the road one will take, so to speak.
    It will determine how one interprets which will eventually lead to a course of action.

    There is even a more abstract component to this, but I'll refrain from delving into that.

    What are your thoughts?
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    • Profile picture of the author don21stc
      Thurs August 26

      Hi Ken,
      Thanks for your reply which raises a large number of interesting points.
      I've just got back from a short vacation so will reply in more detail when my mind is back in gear but one thing that I often think about is how we are limited by language - for example the fact that the words 'strength' and 'weakness' exist seems to mean that we need to put various characteristics into those word 'boxes' where they automatically take on either negative or positive values. By attaching a word to something which is abstract, it seems to me that we are unconsciously defining it in a general sense so that others can understand what we're talking about whereas what I think matters is that we understand what we're really about and not let words obscure the complex facets of our personalities. In that way we may at least be able to explore our own minds and hopefully develop for the benefit of ourselves and others.
      I therefore try to think of 'characteristics' in non verbal terms - e.g. images, sounds feelings and deliberately try to exclude words. You can bet that I don't do this very often because it's so difficult but when the circumstances are right for me, I sometimes manage to switch off the words for a bit and let my mind wander. When it works, I find it very inspiring - if only I could turn it on more often.
      Regards

      Don
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  • Profile picture of the author cheesy
    My weakness is that im a bit shy, i think too much and spend a lot of time doing somthing, but dont finish it. I also leave things to the last minute.
    My strengths are that im qutie young, so im learning all the things early. I've got a possitive attitude and am willing to learn new things.
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  • Profile picture of the author acedalright
    My strength is my weakness.


    Focus

    I can focus and really work hard, but there's the neglect that comes with such focus
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    • Profile picture of the author rocketmail009
      Your strengths are fairly obvious, they are the good things that an administrator is required to have, organized, punctual, friendly, whatever. The weaknesses also have to be strengths, i.e. sometimes you spend too much time on a task because you are a perfectionist and produce a final product that is more than what people expected. However since you are so hardworking, you just spend a little extra time after work to make sure you don't fall behind in your other responsibilities.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dankova
    Each personality type has different strengths & weaknesses
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  • Profile picture of the author markjoshalyson
    My strength is GOD
    My weaknesses is lose the blessing from God
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  • Profile picture of the author penleymae
    nice post....my strength is also God.....
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