One day, you have a performance review with your manager. He tells you that your performance is good but he thinks you could improve. He notes that you are excellent at public speaking but you struggle to be detail-oriented. Your current position has a 40-60% split in terms of public speaking and details.
There are two positions opening up in the company. One of them would be tailor made for you as a public speaker. The other position is more detail-oriented but you would earn 50% more than the public speaking position.
Which should you apply for?
You have two options: Focus on your strengths and make them even stronger. Or you can focus on your weaknesses and improve them.
Most people think you should focus on your weaknesses. Especially, as you can make more money doing something that doesn’t come naturally to you.
But counter-intuitively, you should focus on your strengths. The reason is that it’s biologically easier to improve a strength.
Your neurological pathways of your strengths have been utilized much more than those for the weaknesses. There’s a surge of dopamine that gets released into your bloodstream when you use your strengths. You get tremendous pleasure and it’s easier to go into that magical flow state. As a result, these strength pathways fire faster and easier than those for the weaknesses.
Follow your biological instinct. Play to your strengths. It’s the faster way to get to the top.
A New Source Code 