area of opportunity
In a deadlifting workshop I attended last weekend, renowned powerlifting coach and All-Time World Record Holder Jenn Rotsinger gave me some critiques and feedback to help make my lift better.
Near the end of our time together, she told me something that has really stuck with me. I keep turning it over in my head and trying to apply it to other things in my life.
Instead of saying my back and hip alignment was my worst deadlift weakness (technique and form being very important for the safety, optimization, and strength-building of powerlifting), she motioned towards that part of my body and said, “I see this as your greatest Area of Opportunity.”
First of all, what a terrific display of outstanding coaching and leadership. A teacher who hits their mark and makes an impact through connection, empathy, and understanding. Encouragement over negativity.
Second, I love this reframe. If something is weak, that means it has the most potential for gaining more strength (because if you’re already strong in an area, perhaps you won’t improve there as much as other areas, comparatively). If you are bad at something, becoming good at it will be an even greater transformation and accomplishment. Finding what you need to practice or make better is the first step to identifying the area where you have lots to mine and explore.
I just love the adventurous spirit of embarking on what’s hard with the optimism and joy of knowing this is where you can come up with some of your best growth. Often, your most amazing stuff comes from your biggest challenges.
“Area of opportunity” is a pivotal reframe for choosing courage and a can-do perspective, for finding the positive and moving forward. I love the idea of looking at a “weakness” as a good thing — as a gift, an “opportunity” — instead. Realizing how good it is you’ve first identified the area and then realizing how many good things are to come next because of it.
“Area of opportunity” is a great phrase for a growth mindset. The Tom Bilyeu idea of I might not be good at this yet, but with enough time and effort, I can get good at anything.
What an opportunity that is.
