It’s a fact of life that every human has their strengths and weaknesses in both their private and work lives. Despite this, many people end up choosing careers or starting businesses in a field that they think they should, rather than one that plays to their strengths and which they would have the best chance of succeeding in.
Although there is nothing wrong with this per se, many people would not only be happier but also more successful in their working lives, if they were to choose a career that was better aligned with their strengths and less so with their weaknesses.
If you aren’t sure what direction to head in, and you’re wondering why you should pursue a career that plays to your strengths, rather than just going for the career that will give you the most money or kudos or whatever it is you think you value the most, read on for some very real benefits of choosing work that aligns with your strengths…
You will be more successful
If you decide to become a computer programmer because it happens to be lucrative in your area, but logical thinking isn’t exactly your strong point, then chances are your career will always be mediocre because your weaknesses will stop you from truly excelling in your chosen career. If, however, you choose a career path that plays more to your strengths, whatever they may be, you will excel; you will get promoted; you will be noticed. This will give you far more opportunities overall, even if, on paper, it does not look like the absolute best career for you to go into.
You will be happier
If for example, you’re the kind of person who is good at looking after people, meeting their needs, and connecting with them on a human level, chances are you will be happier if you start searching caregiver jobs near me than you would be looking for work as an accountant where you need to use your logical brain more often, and where spending time with other people is a minimal requirement. When you choose a job that plays to your strengths, minimizes your weaknesses, and allows you to truly shine, you will be far more content in your work, and when you are content, you are better at what you do. We spend so much time working that the last thing we want or need is to be miserable for most of it, and by playing to your strengths, chances are you won’t be.
Limitations can be a good thing
Many people see working within their limitations as a bad thing, but this is not necessarily the case. When you know what you can and cannot do well and you work within those boundaries, you can often push yourself to be more creative and find new ways of doing things that could actually be revolutionary in the long term.
Work out what your strengths are, find a career that plays to them, and you’ll be happier and more successful – what’s not to love?