You have certainly heard the oft-repeated advice that everyone needs to know what their strengths and weaknesses are and to work with them. But why? You have to do every facet of your work and life anyway, so how will knowing which ones you are best at and worst at help you?
It’s a good question. It requires time and effort to identify these traits, after all, and to implement changes, so it’s reasonable to ask what benefits you get from doing so. Among the several benefits you’ll get include working less, being more effective, improved productivity, and being happier.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Are you tired of putting in extra hours to get everything done? Working with your strengths and weaknesses will eliminate that. You will be able to plan better and do things quickly, meaning you work fewer hours. Who wants to work more if they have a choice?
Improved Effectiveness
Another benefit is that your effectiveness will increase. When you play to your strengths instead of your weaknesses, you become better at getting things done because you are not constantly doing things you are weak at. Your effectiveness can increase manyfold when you identify your strengths, start playing to them, and minimize your weaknesses.
Increased Productivity
Like effectiveness, productivity increases dramatically when you recognize and accept your various strengths and weaknesses. This means that you will not only get more things done and do them better, but you will do them in less time. Your career (or personal life) will get measurably better.
More Happiness
People tend to get cranky, or at least unhappy, when they have to do things they dislike or are not good at. This is a natural human reaction. Likewise, when people (including you) recognize your strengths and weaknesses and start working with them, their happiness and their life satisfaction increases.
Stress Goes Down
Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses and beginning to work with them lowers every stress marker, from frustration and anxiety to physiological symptoms such as high blood pressure. This is one of the best ways to permanently lower the stress levels in your work and/or personal life.
These are just a few of the many benefits that come from recognizing your strengths and weaknesses and beginning to work with them. There are many more. You will experience all of them and improve your life if you choose to go through the process.