Different Kinds of Weaknesses

Summary:

The different types of weaknesses and ways to tackle them, strengths and weakness, job interview weakness and much more

“To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable; to make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength.” ― Criss Jami

Nobody is devoid of weakness. It is the unfailing human nature that is endowed with the trait of weakness at one point in time or other. Even Superman comes with Kryptonite! However, the fact remains that weakness until acknowledged and identified continues to dwell in man as a shackle that holds back the million possibilities that would otherwise unfold in a multitude of ways. This event of identification and acknowledgement presents before many dual possibilities; the weakness could be converted into a strength or in another possibility, retained as it is. Who else is to blame if you, as a student, decide to do nothing about your weakness? Every problem comes with a solution as does every question with an answer. Shusaku Endo, Japanese laureate and recipient of several prestigious literary accolades ruminates, “Every weakness contains within itself a strength.” Weaknesses can be plenty; the right intervention, reflection and method of correction can steer the course of one’s life into making one much better and stronger. The acceptance of your weaknesses as a student strengthens your understanding of what you can change and what you cannot alter, and it gives you the tools you need to confront the world with more confidence. Man isn’t devoid of human limitations which can in certain instances lead to irresolvable damage. However, the choice depends on one’s individual discretion. A drastic alteration of one’s weakness by converting it into a strength can be termed as ideal behavior on an individual’s part.

Different Kinds of Weaknesses

Weaknesses can be generally classified on the basis of culture, species, physical body, and the level of the personal. Of these, the weakness of the species is most crucial for it is widespread as well as taken for granted.

1. Weakness of Culture

Weakness of culture is one that is inherited through constant and rigorous conditioning, learnt right from childhood, and endowed to set myriad limitations on individuals. For example, if you think no one eats dog meat in India, then this opinion is up for debate. Most Indians wouldn’t consume dog meat but it’s a delicacy in North-East India. The same fact applies to the consumption of pork or beef. These kinds of meat are a delicacy savored only by a minority. However, your cultural conditioning and reinforcement might have shaped you such that the very thought of consuming such meat possibly looks repulsive to you. On the level of the individual such a repulsion causes no harm. However, a generalization of this repulsion to a degree of stigma formation and ostracization of colleagues who consume such food is morally incorrect and must be taken as a cultural weakness. As a result, a student must constantly be prepared to adapt to the 21st century and accept every potential culture.

2. Weakness of Physical Body

Quite obvious and largely visible, this kind of weakness depicts how a body can get hurt or fall prey to sickness. This can only be mitigated with nutrition and exercise. Students must also stay safe and do no harm. Acknowledgment of this weakness will incline one to adopt healthy ways of living.

3. Personal Weakness

Personal weakness involves internal inhibitions, fears and the limitations people set for themselves. By and large, anything personal could be classified as a personal weakness ranging from a weakness for good food leading to overeating or the fear of flying preventing one from traveling abroad. However, such weaknesses can be mitigated with a little intervention and lots of attention.

4. Weakness of The Species

A form of weakness devoid of borders or boundaries, the weakness of the species is universal. The key to mitigate this weakness is acknowledgement. Laziness, arrogance, unreliability, selfishness, greed, being cheap, stingy, unappreciative, over-sensitive, lying, and more can be attributed as the weakness of the species. These are the kinds of things that students typically take for granted because they are commonplace. Thereby, we don’t treat them as a weakness and thus lie wallowing in a combination of it.

Conclusion

A person’s efficiency is inversely proportional to his laziness. The less lazy a person is, the more efficient he’s going to become and thus achieve greater success in life. At this juncture, it may be noticed that some personal weaknesses are intertwined with the weaknesses of the species. Therefore, you would naturally kill two birds with one stone if, as a student, you were to address any one of the shortcomings. Ultimately, one becomes strong only by first acknowledging their weakness and then working on them to strengthen oneself.