The Freak Factor

www.changethis.com
1. What's Your Problem?
     What's Your Problem asks us to think about what it is that an employer or a parent might say about us that they would consider a "weakness."  In a typical job interview you will be asked what your weakness is.  Usually things like messiness, impatience, and short attention spans are all pin pointed.  The Freak Factor asks us to think about these things differently.  Instead of thinking of them just as bad characteristics, think of them as the opposite trait to your strengths, such as creativity, energy, and being outspoken.  To be good at being creative, you probably are going to be a little stubborn, a little controlling, and probably prefer to work alone.  You cannot cut out these "negative" characteristics to be a more "well rounded" individual.  We need to stop trying to attain this.  Be good at what your good at, and forget the rest.

2. What's My Problem
      This point describes how the author realized his weaknesses were clues to his apparent strengths.  He realizes that you can be successful with a cluttered desk.  Function however you function best.  The author was described to have the weaknesses of talking too much and being too hyperactive.  He took those things, and became a professor.  He now gets paid to stand, and talk, the two things that were his apparent downfalls.  This is helpful because the person who isn't a good team player works alone in the real world.  The person who doesn't like authority becomes an entrepreneur and runs his own business. Take your weakness and mold your career to where it helps you be a better you! Your "weakness" is now a strength.

3.  There's Nothing Wrong With You
        In this point we read about a drug addict of 15 years loses everything that mattered to him and was homeless.  He completely turned his life around and is married with 4 children and has a successful non profit organization and a best selling book.  We learn that he did change his life, but he's still an addict.  He just changed what he is addicted to.  He is now hooked on Ironman triathlons.  We can learn to do this in our everyday lives as well.  Take your negative features and apply it toward career oriented things or goals.

Through working with others throughout my relatively short creative career I have learned the typical "creative person traits" apply to myself.  I have come to terms with the fact that I am controlling when it comes to MY creative work.  I am also a perfectionist with my work. I love to talk, and talk a lot, with people I don't know.  And, yes, sometimes I do enjoy being the center of attention.  So, in a way, I suppose I have already applied these pieces of advice toward my life.  I like attention, so I became a DJ.  I love being in control of my work so I compose my own pieces in my bed room. However, I am practicing on my work with others.  It takes time learning how to create with others.  My strengths are all similar to my weaknesses. I do love to talk to people, so I'm a networker. I am controlling with my creative pieces cause I know what it needs to sound like or look like in my head.  I have vision and direction and I just try to adhere to it.