Much of your success in business lies in knowing your strengths.  And even more lies in knowing your weaknesses.

As an artist, you’ve spent countless hours honing your craft, learning to blog, to update your website, to hand out your business card, to get more clients, to…you name it.  You’ve done a lot of learning. You’re getting stronger.  Your brain is on overload.

But have you taken the time to make a list of your weaknesses?  I’ll share mine, in the hopes of illustrating my point.

Design your business around your WEAKNESSES to maximize success.

I prefer the company of children to adults.

My business partner, Haunani, is crucial for dealing with adults.  She books clients, makes phone calls, handles e-mails, and generally creates a barrier between myself and the client until I show up at their shoot and get to meet their children.  This is all by design, not because I hate adults, but because I’m better with kids.  Knowing this and acknowledging this in business practice  means that everyone is happier.

I hate accounting.

I hired an accountant.  Being self-employed means that, under no circumstances, EVER, will I do my own taxes.

I’m a bit of a shy hermit, unless I’m being paid to travel to exotic locations.

Again, Haunani helps with marketing trips and talking to grownups!  We introduce ourselves to businesses together — which isn’t nearly as scary as meeting a stranger SOLO.  She does the negotiating of display details, brochure placement, cross promotion, and the like.

I hate handing out my business card.

I blog.  A lot.  Blogging beats handing out my business card, has more reach, makes the most of my writing skills, and keeps me from feeling like a pushy salesman.

Shooting film without a working light meter = weakness.

How can you grow your business by acknowledging your weaknesses?

Being self-aware can help you to eliminate dreaded tasks (and face it, dreaded tasks always fall to the bottom of the priority list) and keep clients happy.  Make that list of weaknesses, and then figure out just one way to deal with a single weakness.  I guarantee you’ll see a change for the better in your biz.