Our strengths and our weaknesses share a much more intimate relationship than most of us are willing to admit. Passionate people are often known for their tempers; highly disciplined and focused people are often accused of being pious and judgmental; easy going personalities are frequently derided for a lack of ambition. Often, people who seem especially strong in one way appear to be similarly weak in another.
I believe this relationship stems from the fact our strengths are a type of inflation - an inflation of a particular personality trait or attribute above its normal expression in most other people. Obviously, one can get into a lot of trouble trying to define exactly what “normal” is; nevertheless, we tend to notice these types of dramatic differences in ourselves and in others on a regular basis.
To cultivate a particular attribute to the point that it becomes a significant strength requires time and energy. Spending time and energy to develop a given aspect of our personality siphons that same energy away from other traits or attributes. Thus, while we become more of one thing we simultaneously become less of something else.
It’s also interesting to consider the fact that whether an inflated attribute is considered a strength or a weakness largely depends on our circumstances. An intense determination to achieve success in one’s career can be a strength in the workplace, but can wreak havoc on one’s personal life. A more dramatic example might be someone who has a propensity and talent for violence: in civilized society such a quality can get a person into a great deal of trouble - but in an anarchic environment governed by laws of the “survival of the fittest”, such a disposition could increase an individual’s odds of survival.
As we consider the wisdom of attempting to remove a weakness from another person, or from ourselves, we should take great care to recognize that a significant strength might be lost in the process. Of course, depending on our circumstances, our strengths and weaknesses are not always equal - considering the cost v. benefit of a particular personality trait will help us determine the proper course for our personal evolution. Knowing when we should focus on changing our circumstances, or changing ourselves, is key to achieving personal fulfillment and peace-of-mind.
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May 7th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I prefer to think of weaknesses as strengths that are overused. Its just a different way of looking at it that helps us realize that to overcome our weaknesses we just need to reign in something.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
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