Today, we’re going to dig into one of the exchanges I discuss in 8 Essential Exchanges: What You Have to Give Up to Go Up, but before I begin, I want to reintroduce the concept of exchanges to you.
Exchanges are the toughest choices we face in life. They are trade-offs between two equally good things or between something good and something better. To pursue the better, we have to give up something, often a source of security or something we really enjoy.
Today, I want to focus on exchanging being the master of none for being the master of one—or giving up being good at everything for being great at a few things, but that doesn’t sound nearly as catchy. Let’s discuss the benefits of honing in and focusing on your strengths.
First and foremost, this exchange is not an excuse for us to neglect the things we don’t like to do. Millennials are often accused of only doing what they like, and that’s not what I’m promoting. Instead, I want to encourage you to find the best way to allocate your time and energy toward the things that allow you exercise your talents.
In order to do this, you have to be open and willing to identify your weaknesses and partner with other people that can help you accomplish your goals. Most people never make this exchange because of pride. They aren’t willing to work with others and ask for help when they need it. It took me some time to admit my weaknesses and ask for help, but I am so glad that I did.
For example, I enjoy speaking to audiences and feel confident in my ability to do this well. However, to communicate and elicit change in an audience requires more than just an ability to write a speech, stand on a stage, and deliver a message. There are written and visual components of a speaking publicly that I struggle to produce, but I need them in order to drive home my messages. I don’t want to be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help in areas that are not my core strength, and I want to encourage you feel the same freedom. So, I’m going to pull back the curtain on my work and share with you a few people that sharpen my work and my message and help make me successful.
In order to put out a new blog every week, I work with Marjorie—she’s a freelance writer and editor. Once a week, we hop on a phone call and unpack one or two potential blog concepts. I bring my ideas to the table, and we work together to refine my thoughts, sharpen them, and communicate them effectively in a short blog post.
When I write books, I work with Pat Springle from Baxter Press. Pat edits my work and helps bring my content from rough ideas to publishable material. He takes away stress from the book-writing process and helps me communicate my points clearly and effectively.
When I try to communicate a concept visually, I work with the designers and digital team at Whiteboard. They create stunning digital content. Whiteboard worked to identify and promote my personal brand and ADDO’s and created the website content we needed to engage our customers, clients, and audiences.
I want to continue to find people to work with who have strengths in areas where I am weak. It’s only when we lock arms with people and work together that will we be able to initiate real change in the world around us.
This week, consider your weaknesses and identify some different people you can seek out to help you in these areas. Begin working collaboratively and reap the benefits of more efficient and effective ways to impact the world.
