How to Use Our Weaknesses to Our Advantage
How do you feel about your weaknesses? Are they things you’re ashamed of and try to hide? Or do you brush them off because we’re only human?
Have you considered your weaknesses might actually be a secret source of strength?
Ehud was an Israelite who lived sometime between 1380 BC and 1050 BC when the kingdom of Moab had beaten Israel in battle. After 18 years of living as subjects of Moab, the Israelites chose Ehud to deliver their annual tribute.
But Ehud wasn’t a normal messenger. He was left-handed, and he had a plan.
In the ancient Middle East, being left-handed was often looked at as a disability, but it’s possible that Ehud and many of his family members used this seeming disadvantage to their advantage. They took what was a weakness and found a way to turn it into a strength that allowed them to be unique fighters.
Ehud made a two-edged sword the same length as the distance from his elbow to the tip of his middle finger, and he hid it under his clothes on his right thigh.
After the tribute was paid to the king of Moab, Ehud sent those who carried the tribute back home ahead of him, and he turned back to talk to the king alone.
“I have a secret message for you, O king,” Ehud said.
The king sent away all his attendants so only he and Ehud remained in the cool room. Ehud motioned the king closer, grabbed his sword with his left hand, and plunged it into the king’s belly fat. The king was so fat, in fact, that his belly flab closed around Ehud’s sword, hiding it.
Ehud left, locking the door behind him. When the king’s servants returned and found the door locked, they assumed the king was relieving himself. So they waited. And waited. And waited, until finally they became embarrassed by how long the king was taking and unlocked the door to find their king dead.
The Israelites took advantage of the disorder caused by the death of the Moabite king to free themselves. They ended up having peace for 80 years.
All thanks to Ehud’s seeming weakness. Had he been a right-handed man and reached for his sword with his right hand, the Moabite king would have seen the attack coming. He would have been able to stop Ehud in time, or at least scream for help. Only a left-handed man could have succeeded, because the king didn’t expect an attack from the left hand.
Retired professional basketball player Michael Jordan once said, “My attitude is that, if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.”
We all have the capability to turn what looks like a weakness into a strength.
My tendency to be stubborn (which is a nicer way of saying unreasonably obstinate and inflexible) about some things can also mean I’m determined and don’t easily give up. I just need to watch that I give other viewpoints genuine consideration.
My husband is a procrastinator. He puts off or delays even important things until the last minute. While it’s difficult for a workaholic like me to see sometimes, when properly harnessed, this means he knows how to separate work time and play time in a way I can’t seem to master.
People who stutter have the potential to become some of the most talented speakers and actors because their weakness forces them to pay attention to their breathing, inflection, and tone. Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, and James Earl Jones all stuttered.
Not every weakness can be turned into a strength, but I think many of them can be, depending on how we look at them. If we can figure out how to bind the aspect of our weakness that hinders us, it allows the strength hidden within to come out.
Do you have a weakness that you think could be turned into a strength? Or do you think that we shouldn’t bother working on our weaknesses and should instead focus on making our strengths even stronger?
Photo Credit: Andrzej Pobiedziński (obtained via www.sxc.hu)
Jul 02, 2012 @ 11:30:15
I had no idea those actors all stuttered. That’s amazing! I definitely agree that weaknesses can be turned into strengths.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 15:31:25
Neither did I until I started researching it. It’s actually amazing how many famous people stuttered in their childhood and teenage years.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 12:19:05
Patience, Procrastination, Perfectionism…
What a motley crew of P’s. I lack the first, possess the rest.
And, no, I did not spend time seeking out that nifty [don’t ‘cha think?] alliterative sequence.
In combination, they resulted in a massive ARGH! attack last week. Thank goodness Sherry Isaac talked me off the ledge. I listed all of the things I had to get done in preparation for my 30 day road trip to PA and Toronto. Her response? “Pick two. It’s your J-O-B to write during work hours.”
For now, I depend on sanity checks with Sherry.
But, oh-wise-and-wonderful Marcy, how would you recommend I choreograph those three in a productive war-to-peace dance?
Jul 02, 2012 @ 15:39:48
I love the alliteration 🙂
Hehe, I don’t know what quasi-sage advice I have to give, but perfectionism is a weakness I struggle with as well. I use the positive side of it to make sure that everything I do meets certain standards. The downside is that I can be very hard on myself and will keep working on a project long after the ROI for my time has been exceeded. I’m using it to teach myself to trust the advice of people whose opinions I value. It’s actually been a great help in my marriage because it forces me to curb my natural independence and listen to my husband. It sounds like you’re already doing something similar in your sanity checks with Sherry 🙂
For the procrastination, have you tried time limits? You work on one thing and only it, turning off all other distractions, and then when the timer goes, you set it aside. That gets things done, and your inner procrastinator means you won’t be like me who then worries about the other things I need to do all day, dividing my attention.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 13:36:30
I hate conflict. I am very non-confrontational. That is often seen as a weakness – but in reality, it often allows me to view a situation completely before finally asserting myself.
And yes, I think most weaknesses can be strengths of we work at them.
At least, that is what I keep telling the hubs when he gets frustrated with how stubborn our little guy can be. 🙂
Jul 02, 2012 @ 15:41:46
Being non-confrontational probably also means you give people the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to conclusions. I can see a lot of strength in that weakness 🙂
As for the stubbornness, I have a feeling with you for a mom he’ll be able to turn that into healthy determination when he’s older 🙂
Jul 02, 2012 @ 15:01:26
Love how you turn history, movies, etc. into such thought-provoking blog posts. As for weaknesses, I have many. Biggest is my fear of failure, and I’m trying to turn that on its head by proving to myself that I CAN do this writing thing.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 15:43:28
Thank you 🙂
Fear of failure can be a great motivator. And remember that in a lot of ways, you’ve already succeeded by growing a vibrant following on your blog and signing with a small press for your first book.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 15:01:26
Great post, Marcy. I’ve thought about this a lot over the years, and use it a lot when I work with people nutritionally. Food cravings and emotional eating, for example, are often symptoms of a deeper problem that needs addressing. When people realize this, they become flashlights—tools we can use for problem-solving and internal work.
One of my personal strengths (that I once saw as weakness) is my sensitivity. I can’t bear staying in relationships or work that aren’t wonderful. The more I’ve embraced this part of me, the better my life’s become. It helped lead me to my marriage and writing, both of which I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 21:46:10
I’m an emotional eater (the more stress I’m under, the worse my diet becomes because I’m often trying to use that to make myself feel better rather than directly attacking the source of my stress). Very smart strategy for nutritional coaching.
I missed the chat on Twitter today, but I agree that being sensitive or thin-skinned is actually a good thing for writers. I’m often frustrated when people tell me to “stop being so sensitive.” I think my sensitivity is what helps keep me aware of what isn’t working in my life, as well as making me more compassionate toward others and more able to convey deep feelings in my work.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 19:59:10
Interesting post Marcy. Ehud’s actions saved an entire nation. I’m not sure my own weaknesses could do that, although he did have God’s help and backing. I, like August am a sensitive person. Yet, I like to think it has helped me become sensitive to others needs. Thus it has helped me become more aware of other people. 🙂
Jul 02, 2012 @ 21:42:52
You never know what big things God has planned for you 🙂
I think the world could use more sensitive people. Those with tender hearts are usually the ones who help pick other hurting people up.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 23:40:09
In my writing, my day job as a programmer, and in my former day job as a graphic artist, I’m not a fast worker. This is definitely a disadvantage – I don’t take on many book cover design projects for others, because I work too slowly to make it worth the going rate, money-wise, I’d earn for my time. Yet it must result in good work, if my book reviews and performance reviews in my job are anything to go by!
Jul 03, 2012 @ 14:40:33
I’m actually an extremely slow writer. On one hand, that’s frustrating to me and to anyone I’m working with (I know it’s been frustrating for my co-writer). On the other hand, the work I produce needs significantly less editing and polishing, so in the long run, I wonder if my whole process might not take the same amount of time as a faster writer.
Jul 03, 2012 @ 01:26:06
I’m a firm believer in learning to use your weaknesses and turning them into strengths. One of my weaknesses is negative thinking. I’m currently in the process of reshaping my negative thinking into a more positive frame of mind. It’s hard work, but it pays off in the end.
Jul 03, 2012 @ 14:41:19
Negative thinking seems to be one of the most difficult weaknesses for people to acknowledge too, so you’re already at an advantage. Keep it up 🙂
Jul 03, 2012 @ 12:10:35
I’m a truth-teller and that is a huge double-edged sword. People appreciate that they know exactly where they stand with me – and they hate that they know exactly where they stand with me. People tell me their problems because I’m not afraid to give the hard advice – and people don’t like me because I’m willing to give the hard advice. :/
Jul 03, 2012 @ 14:43:36
I guess whether that’s a strength or weakness depends on both the personality of the person you’re dealing with and also the way you convey the truth. Perhaps your challenge is to learn to tell the truth in a way that’s still full of mercy? And some people, no matter how you tell the truth, will take offense. Personally, I like that you tell it to me as you see it–even if I don’t agree with you 🙂
Jul 03, 2012 @ 15:41:58
Great post Marcy! I need to contemplate on my weakness and see if I can see the light! 🙂
Jul 03, 2012 @ 19:00:08
I’m a procrastinator like your husband. But when I’m aware, what I’m really doing this incubating and a whole project will pour out of me in hours. Unfortunately, I haven’t completely harnessed the tendency yet 🙂 Great article, Marcy!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 01:08:44
I think if people were to only focus on their strengths, they would lose out on some awesome possibilities in their lives. Mostly because I think our weaknesses far outnumber our strengths. I don’t like limiting myself that much so I try to make the best of everything.
Except for heights and snakes. I’m okay with those weaknesses, and have NO desire to ever make them strengths. 🙂
Jul 06, 2012 @ 17:46:14
In order to be well rounded individuals we need both our strengths and our weaknesses. I whole heartedly agree with this post. It’s great! I have been working a lot on my weaknesses lately. But I think there are always new ones to replace the ones we improve upon. That’s my take, anyway.