People in today’s society focus so much on perfection. They think that if they are not perfect they will not succeed. In David Rendall’s “Freak Factor”, we learn that it is good to not be perfect. It is good to be freak. He talks a lot about figuring out your weaknesses and embracing them because they lead to positive things. He tells us that our flaws or weaknesses, what makes us freaks and imperfect can actually be the things that make us most successful. These flaws we all so-called have aren’t really flaws at all but things that make us who we are.
One of my favorite things Rendall wrote about, was Build on your strengths. We enjoy doing things that we are good at for the sole purpose that we are god at them. We can feel accomplished or excel at them. It shouldn’t feel like work if we like doing it. No one likes doing things that don’t make him or her happy. If you like doing something you can get better easily and love what you are doing. Building on strengths is a great lesson to learn instead of trying to fix all of the things you think your bad at. When you do something you love, there can be no unhappiness.
One of the most interesting things I read from Rendall, was his third prompt about being flawless. He basically says that people can’t have a strength with out having a weakness. And people can’t have a weakness without having a strength. For example, if you are dedicated, you are also stubborn. If you are assertive you are also intimidating. If you are positive you are unrealistic. These are all very true, at least to me. Rendall made me realize that you cant be perfect. But your imperfections make you the person you are and exciting.
The only thing I understand that I wish he didn’t say was “You cant do both”. I understand it completely and it agree with this statement, but I am that girl that always has to fix everything and doesn’t like flaws. After reading this, it made me realize that I am holding myself back and if I keep doing that, I will end up like Kmart. I need to build on my strengths instead of fixing my weaknesses. If I try to fix my weaknesses my strengths will dwindle I will become normal without any strengths or weaknesses. I need to build on my strengths and focus on that in order to succeed.
Strengths
Outgoing, Enthusiastic, Passionate, Creative, Smart, Helpful, Innovative, Determined, Good Leader, Detailed, Self sufficient, Social
Weaknesses
Indecisive, Procrastinator, Bad Writer, Unorganized, Impatient, Easily Bored, Doesn't take criticism well, Easily offended