Feeling weak and drained at work? Fantastic!

By Dries Lombaard
Director, Strategic Engagement, The Strengths Institute


Sometimes, knowing what you resist is easier to recognize than knowing what you really love to do. People may sometimes experience their lives as a recurring search for that illusive "passion", "purpose" or "calling".  You can spend all of your most precious time aiming at what you hope to be the thing that you were made to do, or the person that you were meant to become. Just to miss it.

Here's another perspective:  missing the mark is part of achieving  success.  It is part of exploring your natural strengths.  If you know what it is that weakens you to the point of wanting to give up, you are a lot closer to where you need to be in understanding your natural talents.  Because now you know clearly where you do not belong. You are much more certain of who you are not made to be, or not to become.

Your brain, emotions and body reacts to those activities which drain you most in the same way that your hand will react if you try to keep it above a flame.  Try it...and see how long you last. Even if you do have enough willpower to keep your hand steady, the consequences will have an effect long after your hand is no longer above that burning flame.

I believe in perseverance. I believe in sticking to your goals. I also believe in sometimes just hanging on for dear life.
But, I also believe in quitting.  I believe in quitting wisely, timely and completely - when you know you absolutely should.

Sticking to something you should not be pursuing is just as foolish as not taking steps of action in order to achieve a goal.

My point is this:  knowing your natural strengths is crucial. Focussing them towards your dreams are even more important.  But the reality of life is that with joy also comes sadness...with love, there is also hate...and with strength comes weakness.   It is your ability to discern and manage the difference that makes the journey towards true purposeful living possible.

So, that consistent weakness you feel at work, the draining effect....it is an indicator to do something. Maybe not quit. But definitely make some move.


www.strengths.institute

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