Embracing Weaknesses: The Path to Personal Growth

A three step process on how to embrace weaknesses for personal growth.

It is impossible to be good at everything. We all have our weaknesses, and we all have our strengths. It’s often easy to ignore what you’re not good at and find comfort and stability in your strengths. But what if I told you that it’s essential to address your weaknesses and find comfort in discomfort as a means to prepare for life’s challenges? Working on your weaknesses can help you improve key aspects of your life.

Think of three to five things you’re not the greatest at—something that someone has pointed out as a bad habit or an activity you just "suck at." Here are mine:

1. Making myself the center of conversations.

2. Swimming

3. Starting a conversation with someone I’ve never met before.

Now that I've listed them out, I want to share my personal experiences and introduce a three step process for how to achieve personal growth from your weaknesses.

The Struggle with Self-Centered Conversations:

I’m sure we all know those people who always make conversations about themselves. You share something personal, and somehow they still manage to turn it into their story. I can honestly admit that this is something I struggle with. Someone will tell me something important, and due to my ego and the desire to keep conversations flowing smoothly, I would often find a way to steer it back to me. For a long time, I didn't realize I was doing this, and it led to many people feeling uncomfortable opening up to me. Several of my loved ones pointed out this flaw, and I ACKNOWLEDGED it was something I needed to work on.

Learning from the Conversation Challenge:

Thanks to people pointing out this weakness of mine, I was able to develop self-awareness and began catching myself when I centered conversations around myself. I discovered that my tendency to do this was driven by a desire to avoid awkward or uncomfortable silences. It was easier to talk about myself because I knew more about me, and this habit hindered me from actively listening to others. I MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO IMPROVE THIS BAD HABIT and found that it allowed me to empathize more with others and become a better, more engaged listener. Not only did this change make conversations less about me, but it also helped me learn more about the people around me and gain new perspectives. I was able to achieve PERSONAL GROWTH.

Swimming Against the Current:

Another major weakness of mine relates to my physical skills as a swimmer. Growing up, I was a dedicated athlete and believed I was good at every sport. I overlooked this weakness until one day at Ginnie Springs, I struggled to swim against a small current for just 15 yards. It reminded me of a childhood memory where I failed a swim test at camp. To pass, you needed to tread water for 30 seconds. During the test, I struggled to keep my head above water for over 30 seconds and failed. I didn't pass the first time and blamed the instructor. I eventually passed the second time but never considered that I might be a bad swimmer until the day at Ginnie Springs (ACKNOWLEDGEMENT).

The Journey to Improvement:

Recognizing this weakness gave me something to work on. I vividly remember a day where I was trying to learn how to tread water more effectively when my dad walked into the back yard and said, “What are you doing?” I told him I was practicing how to tread water and he immediately told me I was doing it wrong and gave me a bunch of swim tips. While it wasn't easy, practicing swimming allowed me to overcome discomfort and mental hurdles (CONSCIOUS EFFORT + DISCOMFORT). It also humbled me, lowering my ego in a constructive way. This experience helped me push myself in new ways (PERSONAL GROWTH), which proved invaluable when I started training for my half marathon. Weaknesses can be tough to overcome, and it might be uncomfortable, but dedicating time and energy to work on them can prepare you for other challenging moments in life.

Embracing Weaknesses for Personal Growth:

Personal growth often arises from stepping out of one's comfort zone. If you only focus on what you're good at, you remain in your comfort zone, leaving you unprepared for life's challenges. While you should follow your passions and focus on your strengths, don't ignore your weaknesses. Here’s the listed out three step process on how to embrace weaknesses for personal growth.

You don't have to master everything you're not good at in life, but there are weaknesses you can work on right now. By doing so, you'll gain confidence in your abilities, overcome adversity, and become the best version of yourself.