Freak Factor

I recently read an article by David Rendall titled "Freak Factor". The article is about figuring out your weaknesses to become a stronger person. It asks the reader to consider what their weaknesses are or may be. It then points out that one can either fix his or her weaknesses, or build upon their strengths, or do both. The article then goes into detail about how to go about doing so. I thought this article offered some very valuable information that I found to be very useful. It was also a very interesting article, so I decided to share three of Rendall's nine points (you can read the other six by clicking on the link above).

The first point that I will describe was actually the second on the list, and was called “What's My Problem?” In this section, Randall lists things, such as hyperactivity and impulsiveness, that others have said to be his weaknesses. He points out that he could have worked to fix these problems, but chose not to. Instead, he discovered that these “weaknesses” were actually connected to a strength, and then put those strengths to work. He says that he became a professor and professional speaker, and “now the hyperactive guy, who can't sit down or be quiet, gets paid to stand up and talk.” I thought that this was a very interesting and important thing to realize. Although others may consider these abilities a weakness, it may actually be your strength. I think that it is a very important thing to figure out what your strengths are so that you can develop them more fully. This is a great way to do so: search within your “weaknesses”. I had never thought of this before, but I think that it is a very valid point. Interestingly enough, I may have already applied this concept to my own life without even thinking about it. When I was younger, my teachers and parents would tell me that I had a wild imagination (usually meaning that I exaggerated things) and that I told too many stories and talked too much. Perhaps that is why I became interested in video production. It allows me to communicate my ideas through stories: the perfect way to take advantage of my weakness. I agree with what Rendall says about this.

The second point was called “Forget About It: Don't Try to Fix Your Weaknesses”. This point really goes along with the other one nicely. The title pretty much explains what this section is about. Rendall says that there is no point in trying to fix your weaknesses because you can't make them into a “valuable strength.” He says that we should just focus on discovering and improving upon our strengths rather than wasting time on our weaknesses. I partially agree with this. I agree that it is usually pointless to spend time on your weaknesses when you could be working on your strengths. However, I also think that if you have a weakness that is seriously hindering you from progressing or becoming better then working on your weaknesses should be your primary concern. An example of this would be a person who has trouble focusing at his or her work and therefore frequently breaks equipment or fails to complete the job thoroughly. I say if your weakness is causing you problems, then work on fixing it. Otherwise, by all means improve your strengths.

The final point that I would like to discuss is called “Freak: The Power of Uniqueness”. In this section, Rendall uses the Leaning Tower of Pisa as an analogy about our own uniqueness. He says that the builders tried to make a straight tower, but the foundation sank and the tower now leans. Many people have tried to fix the lean, but the fact that it does lean is the main reason that people travel to Pisa. Therefore, the fact that the tower is different and unique holds all of its commercial and tourism value. I think that this is a good point to apply to my own life. Perhaps the things that make me different and unique are the things that make me most interesting. I agree with Rendall for the fact that we shouldn't try to fix our unique qualities, but rather that we should realize them and use them to strengthen ourselves. Uniqueness can be a very valuable asset.