Here’s a little story from my days back at the hardware store – my favorite source of life lessons, of course. A fella came in, Mr. Abernathy I think his name was, looking more flustered than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He had this big ol’ toolbox he’d just bought, and he was trying to open the lock with a tiny little key that looked like it belonged on a dollhouse.
“Son,” I said, walking over, “that ain’t your key.”
He stared at me, then at the box, then back at me. “But it fits in the hole!”
“Fits don’t mean works, buddy. It fits like my big toe fits in a ballet slipper – technically possible, but you’re just gonna cause trouble.” That’s what personal weaknesses are sometimes, folks. They fit right into the holes of our lives, and we spend all our energy trying to make them work, instead of finding the right key.
And here’s the kicker: every last one of us has a toolbox full of keys that don’t quite fit where they’re supposed to. We’ve got bad habits, fears, procrastination, impatience… you name it. The question isn’t if you have weaknesses – it’s what you’re going to do about them. Are you gonna keep jamming the wrong key in the lock? Or are you gonna learn to find the right one? In this here post, we’re not just gonna talk about finding that key; we’re gonna forge a new one out of something better.
Step 1: The Mirror Check – Knowing Your Battlefield
Before you can fix what’s broken, you’ve got to see it plain as day. But let’s be honest, looking in the mirror and admitting, “Yep, I’m terrible at that,” ain’t always easy. It feels like staring down a grizzly bear while wearing a honey suit.
So how do we do it? First off, don’t try to do it alone. You need a good self-assessment, but also some outside help.
The Humble List: Grab a pad and paper – yes, an actual physical notepad, none of that digital ghost-writing nonsense. Write down three things you’re genuinely good at. Got that? Good. Now, write down three things you know you struggle with. Be honest. No one’s gonna see this but you and the Lord, and He already knows everything anyway. Saint Augustine said we should pray to know ourselves, and I reckon he meant starting with a humble list.
The 360-Degree Feedback: Ask your wife – if you’re brave enough! Or ask a trusted friend or coworker. Don’t just ask “How am I doing?” That’s too vague. Be specific. Say, “Hey, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate my ability to stick to a plan when things get tough?” Or, “When I get angry, do I handle it in a way that’s helpful or just makes everyone want to run for the hills?” This ain’t about fishing for compliments; it’s about getting intel.
Step 2: Forging the New Key – The Action Plan
Once you’ve identified your weakness – let’s say it’s procrastination, since that seems to be a favorite of mine and most folks I know – you need a battle plan. You can’t just decide to stop; you have to replace the bad habit with a good one.
Think of it like replacing a leaky pipe under your sink. You don’t just let the water keep dripping all over the floor because you’re “too busy.” No, you get out the wrench and the new fittings, and you fix it. Same principle here.
Here’s how to build that action plan:
1. Set a Clear Goal: Don’t say, “I need to stop procrastinating.” That’s like saying, “I need to be healthier.” Too vague. Say, “On Monday mornings at 9:00 AM sharp, I will spend the first 25 minutes working on my most important task before I check emails.” Be specific.
2. Break It Down: A mountain is still a mountain even if you look at it from far away. But if you take one step at a time, pretty soon you’re on top of it. Break that big goal into tiny, manageable chunks.
3. Schedule It In: Your calendar isn’t just for appointments and birthdays. It’s your life’s map. If you’ve scheduled in your “no-procrastination” block from 9:00 to 9:25 AM every Monday, then it becomes as important as picking up the kids or getting to Mass on time.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Did you do that one 25-minute work session? Good! You earned a cup of coffee and five minutes away from your desk. Rewarding progress is what keeps you going.
Step 3: The Accountability Partner – Your Drill Sergeant
You can have the best plan in the world, but if nobody’s checking on you, it’s easy to let that plan slide into oblivion. This is where accountability comes in.
This ain’t about getting scolded like a schoolboy. This is about having someone in your corner who knows what you’re trying to accomplish and will ask you the hard question: “How’s it going?”
Who? Your wife, your best friend, a coworker who’s serious about growth – just make sure it’s someone reliable and honest.
How? It can be as simple as a weekly text message. Or a 15-minute coffee chat once a week where you both share your progress on your respective goals. When you know someone’s gonna ask, you’re a whole lot more likely to actually do the work.
The Twist: Faith as Your Power Tool
Now, all this practical stuff is great – it’s like having a good set of wrenches and a steady hand. But sometimes, you need a power tool. And for us Catholics, that power tool is our faith.
When we’re struggling with weakness, we can’t do it on our own steam. We were never meant to. The Catechism tells us we are “wonderfully made,” but even wonders have their limits.
Prayer Isn’t Just Talking: It’s listening. When you feel that pull to procrastinate or get angry, pause for a second and say, “Lord, I’m weak here. Help me.” You’re not just asking; you’re inviting God into the fight.
The Saints Were Human Too: Saint Peter denied Christ three times. Yet he went on to be the foundation of the Church! If that ain’t proof that weakness can become a testament to strength with divine help, I don’t know what is.
Final Thoughts & A Call to Action
Identify your weaknesses like you’d identify a leaky pipe. Forge a plan to fix ’em like you would replace the fitting. Get an accountability partner to be your drill sergeant and your cheerleader. And all along, lean on the Lord as your ultimate power source.
The next time you feel that familiar pull toward a weakness – the anger, the fear, the laziness – don’t just give in. Stop. Breathe. Remember this article. Ask for help. You’re stronger than you think, and with God’s grace and a good plan, you can turn those pesky weaknesses into powerful strengths.
Now go on out there and start building something better. Your future self will thank you for it.
P.S. You know what the best part about fixing your weaknesses is? It doesn’t just make life easier for you; it makes you a heck of a lot more useful to everyone around you. And ain’t that what we’re all put here for anyway