Strengths and Weaknesses - Part I

So the task for this week is to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. This task is at once both awesome (why, yes I do agree that I'm amazaingly detail-oriented!) and terrible (self-centered? Me? No way Jose!). As a whole, I feel like this exercise is a little awkward in that it can leave you wondering whether your strengths, numerous as they are, outweigh your (probably equally numerous) weaknesses. As awkward as it can be though, in the end it's definitely worth it, for sitting back and really taking the time to think about your strengths and weaknesses is really helpful.

For one thing, it helps on the job. For example, if you take an honest look at yourself and realize that you are truly awful at time management, you can take some proactive steps to make sure that this weakness doesn’t bite you in the ass: you can learn to use outlook effectively, purchase an agenda (!), or get your secretary looped in on all of your important deadlines (that way when you miss one you at least have someone to blame).

It can also help you in the relationship arena. Like say you realize that one of your weaknesses is that you have a short fuse. Once you realize this, you can try to defuse yourself before you get to the exploding point...or you can date someone who likes that you're "fiery."

I'm sure you're all wondering what my strengths and weaknesses are. Well, here goes:

Strengths: In general I believe that I'm pretty focused, organized, and driven. I also think that I'm a pretty healthy mix of "detail-oriented" and "big picture" -- I'm awesome at working on little things, but I don’t lose myself in the proverbial trees (you know, can't see the forest for the trees? That's a saying…right?). Anyway, I'm also energetic, outgoing, and engaged. I try my hardest to be thoughtful and considerate, I'm funny and sarcastic without veering towards mean-spirited. I'm an excellent dancer (meaning that I'm never too embarassed to show off my "Supa Man Dat Hoe"). I can work a party like nobody's business and I'm great at filling in awkward lulls in conversation.


I think, though, that my biggest strength is that I'm interested. In a lot of things. Mostly this manifests itself in my reading every single periodical that I can get my hands on and checking about 20 blogs a day. It also results in me getting OBSESSED with things. Like this summer I read a book that took place during the Chicago World's Fair and for 2 weeks I did nothing but read about the fair, talk about the fair, and think about the fair…hopefully this fair will be a category on jeopardy soon.

This post is getting long so I'm going to go research my obsession du jour (couture fashion week, in case you were wondering). Check back tomorrow to find out my weaknesses and see where I fall on the strengths v. weaknesses scale....

P.S. Watch the State of the Union tonight- it's the adult thing to do. Even if you don't like it, you don't want to be the only schmo at the watercooler tomorrow with no opinion.