In David Rendall’s, “FREAK FACTOR: Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness,” he claims that our weaknesses correspond to and can help reveal our strengths; that our strengths and weaknesses are not really separate entities, but two halves of one characteristic. Weakness, Rendall says, is not something that can be eliminated. Each of our traits has advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to us to use our traits in the most beneficial way possible. While sometimes it seems like Rendall is just trying to justify his own flaws, he does bring up some good points.
3. Flawless: There’s Nothing Wrong with You
I found this suggestion, particularly the part about dyslexia, to be very interesting. It makes a lot of sense that someone who has to fight harder than everyone else to do simple tasks would continue to do so in other aspects of life. Someone who had a rough childhood will be used to working hard to get what they want, as opposed to someone who had everything handed to them on a platter. There are a lot of people out there who have a false sense of entitlement as to what they deserve from the world. But unless you are an heiress or were genetically gifted with incredibly good looks, waiting for life to hand things to you isn’t going to get you a million dollars. Most people have to work for that, and those who are the most motivated and able to focus on their strengths (the freaks) are the ones who will find success. I also liked his ideas about channeling an addictive or obsessive personality into something positive. The parallel he draws between athletes and drug addicts is fascinating. This especially is something I can relate to, because I tend to channel my creativity and time into useless things, rather than more productive and positive pursuits.
5. Foundation: Build on Your Strengths
I think that this is an effective suggestion. While it may seem obvious to build on one’s strengths, a surprising number of people ignore what they are actually good at in order to strive for what they think they should be good at. Building your strengths will not feel like work, it will be an enjoyable process. Because they are what you are best at, it will be more fun than attempting to force yourself to be something you aren’t. The potential for success lies within our strengths, especially if we develop them. If your strength is writing, but ignore it because you think your best chance of making money is in business, you are denying yourself the opportunity for real success. Sure you might be moderately successful in business, but it will certainly not be as enjoyable as time spent writing. And you would probably have been a better writer than a businessperson anyway. This also goes into his point about finding the right fit for you. Trying to force yourself to be something else will not lead to success.
8. Freak: The Power of Uniqueness
In this section, Rendall opens with a description of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. He notes that, while it was initially viewed as a failure, the thousands of tourists who come to see it every year would not be there if it wasn’t leaning. In fact, without the iconic inclination, no one would visit the tower at all. It would be an ordinary building. The supposed “flaw” is what makes it so unique and well known. Even though fixing the tilt of the tower would have destroyed it’s main attraction, it didn’t stop Mousellini from trying in 1934. Instead of straightening it, however, his efforts simply increased the slant. What Rendall takes away from the Leaning Tower is that, while some people will try to fix your flaws, they are what set you apart and make each person unique. Most people strive for normal, but exceptional is even better.
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