Play to Your Strengths

Are you good at math? Can you write songs? Can you make really great looking crafts? By now, you’ve probably noticed that there are some things in which you’re naturally good and there are other things that you’re just not. That’s OK. God made us for specific purpose with special gifts and abilities.

All through school and in our society we are told we have to be well rounded. We have to be Renaissance Men/Women with skills and interests in a large variety of topics and skills. However, studies have shown the most successful and fulfilled people are the ones who have a singular focus. They’ve discovered what they can be the best in the world (at least in their world) and do only that. Sure they’re good at other things, but they can be really great at this one thing.

Let me give you an example from my life.

I was always good at math. I made good grades in Trigonometry, Physics, and Calculus in high school. When I decided to pursue my degree in math education, I continued to do well in advanced math classes. I loved it. However, in my classes there were other students who were better than me. They understood concepts faster than I could. They’d make the same or better grades on tests in half the time.
I still love math. I love what the classes taught me. I also learned that I can’t be the best mathematician in the world. There are other people that are just wired for that. So, I’ve moved on to other things that I think I can be the best.

John Maxwell in his book the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, talks about the Law of the Lid. In the book he is talking mainly about leadership, but I think it can be applied to any aspect in life.

The basic premise is this: On a scale of 1-10, we all have a number that represents our skill in a certain area that come naturally to us. We can raise that number higher two to three levels with focused time and energy, but unless we start with a high number we have little hope of becoming the best. For example if you’re a 3 at playing football in college, you may be able to raise your ability to a 5 by the time you’re a senior. However you probably will never make college, much less the pros. Similarly, if you are naturally a 7 at singing you could raise your level to a 10 and become a world famous singer.

The point is, if we want to be really successful, we should only focus on those things that we are really good at and ignore the things that we can’t be.

Joseph in Genesis 39:1-6a was lucky enough to discover his gifts early. He may not have been very good tending sheep and harvesting grain like his brothers, but while serving in Potiphar’s house, Joseph discovered he could administrate extremely well. So much so, that Potiphar made Joseph the head of his entire house.
Joseph was probably a 6 or 7 level administrator by the time he came to Potiphar. He kept working at it and eventually found himself running all of Egypt, the strongest nation in the world at the time.

Imagine, if you will, what would have happened in Joseph had ignored his natural administrative gifts while serving under Potiphar. He threw himself into farming and herding. Since he grew up around it, he was most likely pretty good, but he couldn’t be great.

In the same way there are things in your life in which you can be great. Not just good, but great. So here’s how we do it:

1. Search your past. We all did things in our childhood or early adulthood that we were great at, but we’ve moved on for more important things. What was that? Is there still an opportunity to do it?
2. Reflect on your current reality. Some things we love to do, we will never be able to do. at the top levels. What opportunities are before you? What skills and talents can you develop? Are you passionate about it?
3. Explore your options. You may not now what you can be great at. You’ll have to try new things of interest and find out if you can be good and possibly great.
4. Discipline yourself to do it everyday. Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point says that people must spend 10,000 focused hours practicing their craft before they become experts. You can only become great if you practice regularly and with focus.
5. Learn from Others. Chances are you’re not the only one doing it. Find other people who are doing it and ask for their input. Most of them would be glad to help.
6. Challenge yourself. One thing that raised Joseph’s level of leadership was that he was constantly challenged with bigger responsibilities. If you have a certain level mastered, maybe it’s time to step it up.

One thing to point out. Don’t try this without God. Joseph always put God first. As his leadership and influence grew, he stayed humble. He gave God credit for his success. As you play to your strengths and discover what you can be the best, look to God to show you the answers and give you opportunities. He wants to see all of us successful in our service to him with our lives.