In Section 22 you made a list of personal ‘weaknesses’. Note that I’ve put the word in inverted commas, since some may not be weaknesses at all, just your perceptions. Weaknesses come in three types: Important traits which can be worked on, perhaps even eliminated if you want to and are willing to put in a little time and effort. These include those which originate in conscious attitudes or beliefs, are the result of flawed conditioning, or are basically down to lack of resolve, such as lack of patience or persistence, or laziness.
Those which make little difference to your life, or are relatively unimportant. For example, I have never learned to draw but it doesn’t bother me because I have other priorities and little interest. It hardly affects my life at all.Those which are impossible to change . These must be accepted or circumvented. For example, a person prone to congenital depression can learn to live with it and still have a successful and relatively happy life. It’s important to know which of your so-called weaknesses fall into each category.
Then, like Benjamin Franklin, you can develop an active, systematic programme which will lead to steady improvements. “Nothing stops the man (sic) who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievementmuscle. It’s a strengthening of his power of accomplishment. Eric Butterworth” “Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than abunch of grapes or a fig. If you say to me that you desire a fig, I shall answer, ‘that requires time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen. Epictetus” Two qualities that are essential for confidence building and a happy and fulfilling life are patience and persistence.
Lasting change takes time, and when the going gets tough remember how much better you feel when you achieved something worthwhile by sticking at it. So press on. Nothing can take the place of patience and persistence. “Thousands of people have talent. I might as well congratulate you for having eyesin your head.The one and only thing that counts is, do you have staying power? Noel Coward”