After getting some less-than-positive feedback on a project recently, I couldn’t help but notice a recurring theme in my criticisms over the years. I wanted to not notice, because who wants to dwell on weaknesses? Frankly, you do. And you should.
In marketing terms, it’s known as SWOT – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It’s an examination process that helps businesses identify the validity of their operations. It’s used for just about every function within a company, and every initiative a company plans to launch. You examine your core strengths, your inevitable weaknesses, the opportunities that are ripe for the picking, and the threats to your success.
So why aren’t you using this formula for your writing career? You probably already know your strengths – writing, editing, proofing, grammar, whatever. But have you really looked at feedback or at your own work with a critical eye to see where you’re weak? And honey, we’re all weak at something. To admit to it is to understand better your own abilities. To ignore it is just foolish.
My weakness – I tend to rush through things (blame hyperactivity) and often I’ll make mistakes. Usually, they’re smallish, but somehow amateur mistakes. In one project, I forgot to finish a sentence. In another, I missed an obvious edit. I work hard at pacing myself, but I do have to live with the notion that my work may not be stellar because I tend to obsess about deadlines that are weeks or months out.
So what are your weaknesses? What do you notice about yourself, or what have others pointed out to you? How can you adapt your work process in order to compensate for it? Can you compensate for it? These are questions you need to be asking and finding answers for.
As for opportunities, when was the last time you spent an hour brainstorming on new areas you could tap into for work? Ooo, that long ago, huh? Try it right now. Spend five minutes (time yourself if you must) writing down writing opportunities you’d like to go for. No limits – just write. Novels, ghostwriting, research, consumer magazines….just keep writing. After five minutes, look at your list. Choose one thing on it and build an action plan around it. Where can you find this work? Who do you know who might be able to guide you? What do you need to learn before starting?
Now, the threats. Make a list of those. Some that will probably pop up include lack of work, inadequate marketing skills, recession, inexperience, lack of contacts, laziness (let’s be completely honest)…. whatever shows up on your list must be a truthful, revealing picture of your current work environment, your own weaknesses (yea, those are threats, too), and outside influences. Now, as with the opportunities list, choose one item on there and get to work eliminating it.
What to do with the remaining items on your list? Repeat the process. Identify one, and work to eliminate it from your list.
If it works for businesses, why not for you?
What a cool perspective! I’ve never heard of SWOT, but I’m going to put it on a post-it as a reminder for the next time I’m starting a new project. Thanks!
I’ve never heard of it either…but it looks like you and I are on the same page this week! I don’t know that I have any glaring weaknesses with my writing…I think i’d have to think about my criticisms to pinpoint a common thread. But I know that overall in business, my lack of technical skills and reluctance to market are pretty glaring shortcomings. Oh, and I just work too hard sometimes 🙂
What a great post! It really made me stop and think through my issues. I, too, tend to rush through work and make stupid mistakes. I’ve really been trying to edit myself recently. I’ve found that reading the piece that I’m editing out loud helps me catch the problems I might otherwise miss.
As far as shortcomings go, I need to work through my fear of self promotion.
And for opportunities, I really want to work on my fiction writing. Fiction is my first love, even though non-fiction is what pays the bills.
Great post, Lori. I think my biggest problem is taking on too much. I spread myself out so thin at times that I don’t give any one project the attention I would if it were my *only* project. Then I get sick. :-
Evaluating ourselves from time to time is an important way to make sure that we continue to grow and develop our skills.
As for my weaknesses, I tend to be a perfectionist and somewhat hard on myself as a result. It makes it hard for me to call a project done.
I have noticed that my writing skills decrease significantly if I am extremely tired.