Reconsidering strengths to be weaknesses

sugahorse1 · Jan 07, 2011 at 08:13 AM

Got asked to do this 'homework' today, and I thought I would share it with others, as it seemed quite profound.

Write a list of your 5 top weaknesses, and 5 top strengths.

Try work out how the weaknesses are actually strengths, and how the strengths can get in your way and be perceived as weaknesses.

I currently am beating myself up about my perceived weaknesses and how they are getting in the way of me functioning to the best of my ability, hence this exercise.
Just wonder how many of you have battled with similar?
It helped to hear that we all have weaknesses (We shouldn't really call them that) - thay are traits that form our personality and need to be embraced.
Hmmm... quite a bit there for me...

Had quite a good session, even though I first arrived not knowing what to discuss...

sugahorse1 · Jan 07, 2011 at 09:48 AM

If anyone has a worksheet to help guide the thinking here, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks

Sannah · Jan 07, 2011 at 10:30 AM

This does sound like a great exercise. Share what you come up with?

Perna · Jan 07, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Don't know about a worksheet but here's some sort of list that gives the idea of opposites:

http://www.peterursbender.com/quiz/swtable.html

I worked with my opposite, being "critical". One often thinks of that as negative, as being judgmental, but I am extremely good at being balanced and fair too; can think critically, see both sides and judge which is "best" for me.

ECHOES · Jan 07, 2011 at 12:18 PM

There are positive and negative aspects to most things. Sometimes, for many reasons, we only see one side.

For example, one might think that not being able to talk in therapy is nothing but negative (or a weakness), but the positive side of it is there too, just not recognized or valued or whatever; that is that not talking is self-protective and is a learned defense against feeling hurt, disappointment, unheard, etc.

sugahorse1 · Jan 10, 2011 at 04:52 AM

Yup, these are typical scenarios like my T mentioned. Gotta get working on this...

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Sannah Legendary Member Since Jul 2008 Posts: 19,179 (SuperPoster!) 15 1,773 hugs given	Jan 07, 2011 at 10:30 AM #3 This does sound like a great exercise. Share what you come up with? __________________ Don't let your problems or the world make you feel small. Stretch your arms out over your head. Take a deep breathe. Tell yourself that you are big. You are big, not small. You always have space, you are not trapped........ I'm an ISFJ
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sugahorse1 Upwards and Onwards! Member Since Mar 2010 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 7,878 14 309 hugs given	Jan 10, 2011 at 04:52 AM #6 Yup, these are typical scenarios like my T mentioned. Gotta get working on this... __________________ "I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed. Robert H. Schuller" Current dx: Bipolar Disorder Unspecified Current Meds: Epitec (Lamotrigine) 300mg, Solian 50mg, Seroquel 25mg PRN, Metformin 500mg, Klonopin prn
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