“Once in awhile you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.”
Epiphanies happen. And they happen all the time. You will see them if your eyes are open and you are present. While at a wine tasting in Boston’s North End, a young lady came down the stairs and said: “…well, that’s just one more of my many weaknesses.” Without skipping a beat, I blurted out; “Your greatest strength is knowing your weaknesses.” Well, that generated a few yuks, but it came to me like a vision; This serendipitous interaction could well be the genesis of a five-part BLOG series where I will explore the Core Components of High-Performance. So, let’s get started.
Your greatest strength is knowing your weaknesses. When I say knowing, I mean on an intimate level. To truly know your shortcomings is to deeply desire change.
A common characteristic of High-Performers is that they recognize when they’ve plateaued. They become restless because they always know there is more. They realize that they can find more JOY, more SUCCESS, more HAPPINESS, more FULFILLMENT. To reach the next level, identify your weaknesses. Everybody has them, regardless of your lot in life.
I should point out that when I say High-Performer, I have a precise definition. High-Performance is to consistently exceed your standard norms, over the long term, while building positive relationships. By this definition, anyone can be a High-Performer.
Exceeding your standard norms always involves identifying where you need work. Once you know your weaknesses, you can create a plan to neutralize them. To know is to gain CLARITY.
CLARITY is one of the foundational components of High-Performance; CLARITY in direction, CLARITY in values, CLARITY in capabilities, CLARITY in what you need to work on. When you work with a High-Performance coach, the first objective is to gain CLARITY. Increased CLARITY is like the illumination of a dark hallway. You can now see what lies ahead. You can now start to move and break free from stagnation.
