Let your Weakness be your Strength

Let your Weakness be your Strength

It is true that we, human beings, are naturally endowed with  both strengths and weaknesses. Although we all know the fact that Nobody is Perfect, most of us tend to strive for perfection, and we are more likely to feel dissatisfied with the areas we are weak in rather than appreciating the areas where our strengths lie. In other words, as the saying goes ``The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence´´, we often envy others for their impressive capabilities, and feel bad for those competencies we lack while taking our strong points for granted. In fact, such our seemingly weak points  could probably become our unique strengths if we see them from a different perspective, fully exploit them , and make the most of them.

Let me give you a few examples to illustrate the aforementioned scenario. Firstly, some students are not academically gifted, i.e. they can hardly ever demonstrate an outstanding performance in academic tests. In short, it seems that they are not high achievers in terms of academic grades. However, they, on the other hand,  may actively partake in a wide range of extracurricular activities, and well-equipped with some valuable soft skills such as interpersonal skills, communication skills, public speaking skills, teamwork skills, negotiation skills and problem-solving skills. They might have also established broader social networks, creating opportunities for their future career development.

The second example I would like to mention is that being multi-talented is hailed as one of the admirable assets nowadays. However, it does not mean that we should feel  inferior if we do not happen to possess a variety of talents. Because, we could survive and even thrive if we have a profound aptitude in a specific field.

Thirdly, I would also like to give an example from my personal experience. This is what I perceived as my weakness turns out to be my strength when I see it from a different angle. Since I was young, I have not been a fast learner. It usually takes me  longer hours than my peers in order to understand a particular lesson. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, I have to work hard, and almost double my efforts so as to catch up with my classmates. At the first glance, I thought being a slow learner is a stumbling block to my academic achievement.  And, I used to blame myself for not being bright like some people. At that time, I often wish I was a fast learner. However, with the passage of the time, I came to realize that being a slow learner is not something that holds me back, but indeed `` a blessing in disguise ´´. Because, having understood that I am not a fast learner, I tend to be motivated to work hard , devoting myself to the tasks that I have to do. As a positive consequence, I usually get them finished in time. I hardly ever postpone something I have to do until the last minute unlike most of  the fast-learners who tend to be deađline fighters. In this way, my seemingly weakness as a slow learner shapes me up as a committed and well-prepared person. Most people admire and appreciate me for my dedication, persistence, and for being a well-organized person.

All in all, it is undeniable that strengths and weaknesses are two sides of the same coin. Thus, we need to accept some of our weak points like we embrace our strong points. Then, we should maximize our plus sides and minimize our less capable aspects.

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Kyal Sin Phu
Sunday Special
The Global New Light of Myanmar
9 February 2020