It is important that you learn to focus on your strengths not your weaknesses if you want to be successful in your chosen field. For many of us online entrepreneurs this can be difficult as we work mainly on our own from home.
We need to be experienced in so many different areas, from setting up a website to writing articles and finding images for them. We need to be able to configure plugins as well as know which ones to place on our sites. We have to know the code to create hyperlinks plus a multitude of other skills.
It can seem that we spend most of our time doing things we’re not terribly good at because they must be done. Doing these things takes us away from doing what we are good at. A good friend of mine loves writing and always has done. He’s working on his first novel but he seems to spend much of his time doing other things that have to be done. Because he’s not very good at these things they take longer than they should and he gets frustrated. This then affects his mood and slows him down even further. He seems to end up with very little time to devote to his writing which affects his income potential.
What is the alternative for my friend who doesn’t have the money to pay others to work for him. He’s learned to barter his time. He does things he is good at (writing outlines for example) and has others do those things he’s not good at or dislikes (cleaning, running errands etc). He can produce outlines for articles almost in his sleep and his friends are happy to exchange their services in return.
Think about your favorite singer or band. When they perform somewhere they don’t arrange the bookings or unpack and set up before the show. They leave that to others so they can focus on what they do best. Get up on that stage and perform. At the end of the show they can leave, knowing that others will pack everything away and ship it to the next venue.
If struggle with technical stuff, get someone else to do it. Unless you’re determined to learn something new, barter with someone or if you can afford it, pay someone to do it. If you’re determined to learn, work on it daily until you’ve mastered it. It’s surprising how much you can learn in 30 minutes each day.
What things can you do that others have trouble with. Are there opportunities for you to exploit those strengths? Can you sell them to others? Offer a service? Barter with others?
Know what you are good at. Spend the necessary time to know and understand your strengths. Learn what your weaknesses are. Don’t give up without trying to do things but if you’ve tried and cannot do them, let them go. Don’t waste any more time or energy.
Focus on what you do well. The things you do effortlessly, give you energy and a buzz and generate an income. Think about some of our great actors. If they excel in dramatic roles, they don’t audition for comedy.
Make notes about how much time do you devote to the activities you do best each week. What about the things you don’t enjoy or do well or resist doing. Think about how you feel when you have to do the things your don’t enjoy. Does it drain you? It certainly drains me and I’m then less efficient. And I know I’m not earning anything from these efforts.
Never feel ashamed if you can’t do certain things, no one can do and enjoy everything. Most of us have someone to do our taxes so why not have someone do the other things you dislike or are not good at. Checking stats? Setting up new sites? Writing? Finding images? Help desk? Uploading articles to site? The list could go on and on.
Believe in yourself and your strengths. Practice what you do well to make it even better. Make sure you have written goals and look at them, especially when you’re feeling down.
Remember to focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. You’ll find yourself far more productive and happy and your income should reflect this.
