Using your weaknesses as strengths

I was thinking about this the other day as I was lining up labels at work. Here I am using my OCD-like tendencies in my job and it is actually a great thing there. My employers want the labels all straight, they want everything to line up...and these are things to strive for in my occupation. I don't have OCD or anything, but I think maybe I do a little...and I can use it to help myself be a good employee that does her job well. It makes me wonder about this in other aspects of our lives. Does anyone else here use the things they have discovered about themselves in therapy as a positive force in their lives? I'm sure some of you must. It's more cause to believe that being who we are...no matter who we are...can make us useful and valuable to ourselves and to others. I like that thought.

What have you discovered about yourself during therapy that is usually thought of in a negative way, but can be positive too? It speaks to balance and how all of us are a valuable piece to the big puzzle. My OCD-like tendencies can be a good thing. I hope this is okay to discuss here. If not, is there a place on this board for open discussion such as this?

Good question, I've found I can be rather strong in my views, and I've found because of therapy, that I am not just a trouble maker, I have real feelings about things, particularly where the wellbeing of children is concerned and when at work I hear remarks made that I find upsetting or disturbing, I am not afraid to say so, which at times in a works canteen can go down let a led balloon, but I refuse to follow the crowd and just nod my head in agreement at things that are unacceptable, therapy has shown me that I do count, that I do have feelings and that I have as much right to stand up for what I belive as anyone else and that though growing up I was told I was bad and evil, I am not those things and my speaking up has threatened this kind of person, there are a lot of people out there in the general population that consider themselves "well" who are infact more distured then those of us that have had to drag ourselfs back up from this. I just hope that perhaps if one person has their comfortable ignorance challenged by me, that may make a difference to 1 child. I'd always considered my "speaking up" to be a weakness, but now i embrace this part of me, and not many real conversations, debates go on at work.

growing up with, shall we say, highly unpredictable parents, I learned to "read" them as much as possible, for my own defense -

I have realized that I still have this "skill" and it's why people tell me that I give the best gifts . I get inside someone's head to some extent so I can figure out what will please them

Mouse, I am having this exact problem right now! I am on a board with 3 people who have untreated mental health problems and they band together against me while I'm trying to make the board more professional. It is a lonely fight! The three others just sit on the sidelines, though 2 have reached out to me. I can't let them win. I'll be stronger in the end.........

Bether, yes, because I came from a dysfunctional home I had to get myself straight. Doing a good house cleaning is great thing to do. Too bad more don't do it!

Mouse's comment is similar to what I've experienced.

I have a voice and was always considered "stubborn" or the "black sheep of the family" because of my bullheadedness....I was the "bad child" - defiant, etc.

Yet, these traits have helped me through some really difficult situations in support of the same people who called me "bad"! I guess it was just the way I channeled it back then versus how I use it for good instead of evil now...LOL....

It is an asset at work in dealing with difficult senior management. I don't back down and fight for what I believe is right.

It is an asset in dealing with people who try to take advantage of certain situations.

I seemed to have lost my voice for a while there - suffocated by my husband and some friends....But I've found my voice....And they're not liking it....But my T is!

I obsess about things, and probably am a little OCD too. I analyze myself to death, and analyze everything my T says, or doesn't say. I'm like a detective in researching my T and others I have an interest in. I am persistent and pay careful attention to details when I want to. I look up people online and am very determined not to give up my searches. I go too far, and get frustrated when I can't find what I want.

These traits carry over into my genealogy search, where I've had to really dig and pay attention to every little bit of information I can discover. I also found many classmates for my High School reunion by pursuing my search neyond the call of duty!

This is an interesting topic, Bether. Thanks.

great idea for a topic, bether!

like you (and a few others here) the ocd-thingies help in my uni/work life. i am currently trying to learn how to make it more effective for me - so hang on to the good stuff (perfectionism, attention to detail), and get rid of the stuff which really holds me back (compulsion to do things over and over and over until i've excised it from my system).

i will think of other things and come back to add. this really is a good topic, bether .