The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

July 10Perceived Strength

Our strength grows out of our weakness. The indignation which arms itself with secret forces does not awaken until we are pricked and stung and sorely assailed. A great person is always willing to be little. When they are pushed, tormented, defeated, they have a chance to learn something.

Ralph Waldo Emerson—“Compensation,” Essays: First Series (1841)

There is so much that is counterintuitive to this practice of self-reliance.

How can there be strength in our weakness? To acknowledge this, you must believe that it applies to our ability to accept only what some might perceive to be a weakness as our greatest strength.

Because perceived weakness is a societal fabrication and little more.

You may possess amazing writing skills and a complete lack of accounting skills. You should master your writing (strength) and have the good sense to admit someone with different gifts than you should do your accounting (weakness).

Admitting this is a strength, but so too is your ability to listen intently, admit that you don't have an answer to something, ask for help, lead by learning, take calculated risks, and thank those who make your journey possible. All things some might see as signs of weakness.

Let the “indignation which arms itself with secret forces” awaken in your inner strength.

This is, by far, the greatest power of self-reliance.

Challenge Question

1. What is your greatest weakness? Is it?