Developing strength

By Jeanne

I had a conversation this week that got the gears in my head moving. This guy’s claim was that every strength I have today was once a weakness. While the guy was trying to sell me something, the premise struck a chord.

At the time, it made me think back on what I’ve learned over the course of my career. What I feel like I’m good at today is very different than what I was good at when I started my career. At the beginning of my professional life, I followed through on details and got the work done. While that’s still true to an extent, now the level of detail I pay attention to is much higher. My strengths are in strategic and future-focused thinking – and that’s where I get my energy at work. Looking back, I realize what a journey it’s been to develop that ability to think at 30,000 feet.

His statement resonated even further when I thought about my physical self. I am returning to the practice of yoga. I’ve done yoga off and on over the past couple of years. Honestly, I surprise myself with how much I like it.

I signed up for a series of classes offered through work, but didn’t dig the experience. The conference room with a canvas tarp over the flooring created ab ambiance that was less than optimal. It got me moving but didn’t allow me to really tap into my self. I couldn’t really concentrate. Meh. So, yesterday I returned to a studio.

His words returned to me as I worked through the class. Approaching yoga as a practice has been really helpful for me as I work to hold poses. It helps me to notice how different my last downward dog is from my first. I know that with each practice I’ll get stronger.

I guess that’s the point, what you practice, you improve. Some of the positions are difficult, but if I practice I will get stronger.

Need lots of practice for this one!

Huh. So I guess this guy was right. Every weakness you have can be a strength if you work on it and have the right outlook. I’m going to continue to ponder about this, to think about what else I can improve. What about you?