BACKGROUND: This coaching exercise was inspired by the book, "Now Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham who suggests the 5 strategies below for overcoming your weaknesses. Buckingham argues that we would be more successful if we focused on our strengths instead of our weaknesses and I couldn't agree more. However, many of us still have to deal with performance - or 360 reviews - and our own inner critic. Use this exercise to help you constructively 'zap' your weaknesses!

INSTRUCTIONS

• Below are 5 strategies to help you manage your weaknesses. Read through them and consider which work for you.

• Then complete the table below – coming up with at least one strategy and action for each weakness.

• And remember, it's only a REAL weakness if it gets in the way of something you want to do.

Your 5 Weakness-Zapping Strategies:

1. LOWER YOUR STANDARDS. Stop expecting so much of yourself. If you really need to - get a LITTLE better at it and choose to be happy with that.

2. Design a SUPPORT SYSTEM. Simply create a personal process or system that helps you manage around your weakness.

3. OVERWHELM the weakness. Be SO GOOD at something else that it simply doesn’t matter.

4. Find a PARTNER. Think of someone who loves doing what you don't, and where you love doing something they don't - and SWAP. Or pay someone to do it for you.

5. Just STOP DOING IT! Why try so hard to be better at something you're not good at when you could spend your time using a strength, learning something new or simply having fun?