Here’s a wild fact for you: It takes about five positive interactions to counteract just one negative one. That’s how strongly our brains are wired for negativity. (Thanks, evolution.)
So, it’s no surprise that when we think about our growth—personally or professionally—we tend to zero in on what we lack. We obsess over the weak spots, the gaps, the “I should be better at this” areas.
Whether it’s your health, your work, or your relationships, you’ve probably spent more time trying to fix what’s broken than building on what’s already strong.
But here’s the reality: That approach isn’t just exhausting—it’s ineffective. When I talked to strength coach Lisa Cummings on The Positively Altered Podcast, she reminded me that we’re asking the wrong question.
“How do I improve this thing I’m bad at?” is one way people often pose the question, but what if, instead, we asked, “What am I already great at, and how can I do more of that?”
Research backs up Lisa.
According to Gallup, people who focus on their strengths are:
- Six times more likely to be engaged at work.
- Three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life.
Not only that, but teams that receive strengths-based development see up to 73% lower attrition and significantly higher performance across the board.
Translation: Stop wasting your energy trying to be someone you’re not. Start amplifying who you already are.
Marcus Buckingham, the strengths guru behind Now, Discover Your Strengths and Love + Work, puts it this way:
“You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”
Yes, I used to believe that “fixing” my weaknesses was the responsible thing to do. But let’s be honest: Working against your natural wiring is a recipe for burnout.
Want to know what really moves the needle? Getting crystal clear on your natural best—the ways you think, feel, and act that actually bring you energy.
Lisa offers this simple but brilliant daily practice: Ask yourself:
What’s true? What’s good? What’s possible?
That little mindset reset interrupts the downward spiral and helps your brain practice noticing what’s right—in your health, your work, and your life.
Look, I’m not saying we ignore our blind spots. But constantly chasing improvement in your weakest areas will only get you to mediocre. When you focus on your strengths, that’s where you find joy, momentum, and impact.
Still not sure what your strengths are? Most people aren’t—and that’s the real issue. We’ve been trained to rattle off our job titles and certifications, but ask someone what lights them up, and they clam up.
So, here’s your challenge: Don’t just fix what’s wrong. Find what’s right—and run with it.
Be positively altered,
Dr. Cindy M. Howard
P.S. Want to discover your strengths the smart way? Jump to my episode with Lisa Cummings AND grab your CliftonStrengths link. It’s like finding your own user manual!