As a perfectionist I have an obsessive problem with anything that is less than perfect. So no surprise then that growing up I was never organised because I could never develop the perfect organisational system – it was just never ‘quite right’.
Roll forward to 2009, and I have been forced into organisational ability, with the book Getting Things Done greatly to thank. I am running an Experience Agency (one of only a hanful in the world) with international clients, heavily involved in the leadership of my church (you haven’t seen a fight till you’ve seen a church fight), and trying to keep a grasp on all the other threads of my life, as well as adding value on Twitter, Facebook and here. I certainly feel that the time I am spending in each day is more centered around my strengths, and that way, I not only feel more productive (which encourages me), but I am also seeing more return on my effort.
A large part of my transformation has come through a change in my thinking, from trying to become better at what I’m bad at, to becoming the best at what I’m good at.
The analogy is this. Say I am a 3/10 at administration, and a 7/10 at creative design. I can put my effort into making my 3/10 in admin a 5/10, which is now average. Or, I can specialise and invest in what I am already good at, and make my 7/10 a 8/10 or 9/10. Now, I have specialised, can charge more, can influence more, am more effective and more efficient.
As for my admin, I can use the 2 points that I have added to my 7 to fund someone else to handle the admin.
I don’t know why it has taken me so many years to get this, and I know that I am only touching on the fringe of it, with plenty more to learn. So, I’d like to hear from you. How are you maximizing your strengths? What has worked and what hasn’t? Is there a framework you have that can help me and others?
Comments
Robin_Dickinson
Hi Scott,
That’s another great topic. In business, my personal mission statement (sounds a bit ‘big company’) is to HELP THE STRONG SUCCEED.
It’s a bold statement and completely embraces the notion of your ‘Maximize your strengths’ heading.
By Help The Strong Succeed, I mean:
Work with those who are ready to move – to act – to change;
Work with leaders, people with purpose and passion (like you);
Work with those who have a mission to help others..
AND…
Work to strengthen your strengths, gifts and talents.
I look forward to other people’s responses to your post.
Best,
Robin
Scott Gould
Robin
Firstly thank you for all your contribution here. You have been for the last 3 weeks without fail the first person to comment, and always with a good addition to my thoughts. Thank you.
As for your comment – awesome.
HELP THE STRONG SUCCEED is exactly what I’m talking about even though I don’t realise it.
An insight into my life – I’ve been working with some people, sowing my time into them, and they are not the strong. Your three values (which are excellent) are lacking. I’m learning that my time needs to be spent helping others who are 6/10 become an 8/10.
Excellent stuff Robin, thank you!
trishastewart
Great blog and I am so much like you in tryng to get everything perfect and often end up not doing something at all rather than it not be perfect – I am quite a few years older than you and have not quite learned it PERFECTLY Ha… I agree with “doing what you do best” and paying someone else but that is not always possible – so – I would write down everything I HAVE achieved in a day and not give myself a beating for what I have NOT achieved – do not always do it, but if I am not feeling good about myself I reflect more so that I can do better the next day – we are learning all the time -hopefully !
lionslinger
In order to maximize yourself you have to look deep within. There’s something in everyone of us that’s preventing us from maximizing our true capacities. Evolve above your mind.
Remember:
The mind is an excellent servant but a terrible master.