Outsource Your Weaknesses

I'm a big fan of the StrengthsFinder approach to self-actualization. I'm kind of a self-assessment test junky -- Myers-Brigg, StrengthsFinder, Insights Discovery -- if I actually believed in astrology I'm sure I could find something interesting in the fact that I'm a O-Positive-Fish-Monkey (combine Japanese blood types with Pisces with the Chinese Zodiac as presented in most noodle shop paper place-mats -- I'm sure there's a new self-help book in there somewhere).

Here's the run-down so far:

My top five strengths? Ideation, Activator, Strategic, Intellection, Learner.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) ? A solid "ENTP"

Insights Discovery? 23: Motivating Director (Classic) -- Red, Yellow, Blue, Green

So what are my weaknesses? Chief among them....Hollandaise sauce*.

There's a fun quote I like to use when it comes to abilities:

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should"

For example, I could create a line of The Big Idea clothing, t-shirts, coffee mugs, wall-clocks and bumper stickers.

But its not my strength. Not even close. Instead, I outsourced it!

Introducing The Big Idea Shop, compliments of CafePress! With a few clicks and a couple of minutes of messing around with the font, voila! Instant online shop with ready made products. Who couldn't use another coffee mug? And with every purchase you'll be helping to stimulate the economy!

We're going to be announcing a new logo design contest in a few days.

Today's Big Idea: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Outsource your weaknesses.

You may find that someone can do it much better, faster, and cheaper than you could ever hope to achieve on your own. Leverage your network and you may find that when the tide comes in, all boats will rise!

* My current favorite hollandaise sauce is the stuff they smother the eggs benedict with at Salut on Grand Ave in St. Paul

Not using RSS yet? Get the updates on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TheBigIdeaBlog