Lifestyle

Best Practices for Strengthening Your Professional Weaknesses

Published

4 years ago

July 11, 2021

It doesn’t matter how skilled you are in your career – or how far you’ve advanced – you’re always going to have weaknesses. And if you want to continue improving, you have to deal with these weaknesses sooner rather than later.

The Backwards Approach to Professional Development

Have you ever noticed that most of the workforce (and most people in general) have a backward approach to professional development?

As humans, we have this desire to feel important. And one of the ways we feel important and fulfilled is by leveraging our strengths and skills. When we’re good at something, we typically enjoy doing it (and want to do more of it). When we’re bad at something, it makes us feel inadequate – so we avoid it.

But if we only do the things we’re naturally good at and avoid the things we’re not skilled at, we don’t actually improve. We end up staying the same. Worse yet, we often get burned out and see a decline in the areas where we were once proficient.

The real purpose of professional development is to lean into weaknesses and refine the areas where we’re inadequate. And though it’s not comfortable to do this, it provides far more growth.

5 Tips for Strengthening Your Weaknesses

If you want to develop as a professional, it starts with identifying your weaknesses and being willing to address them. Here are some tips to help you strengthen your shortcomings:

Set Specific Goals

If you’re going to go through the discomfort of strengthening your weaknesses, you need a plan. Setting very specific goals will give you a target to reach for. As you get closer to this goal, you’ll feel yourself making progress. This will provide further energy and motivation.

If your weakness is public speaking, for example, having a goal of giving a 10-minute presentation at a company event by the end of the year will give you something tangible to strive for.

Spend Time With the Right People

You become the combination of the people you spend the most time with. Make sure you’re spending time with people who help you grow, rather than people who make you comfortable.

Find two or three people who are already skilled in the area where you’re weak. Take them out to lunches and dinners. Ask questions, gather feedback, and solicit advice. It’ll be awkward and painful at times. But it’ll spur on growth.

Invest in Continuing Education

If you’re in an industry where continuing education is required in order to remain actively licensed, you know the shortcuts. Most of your peers have figured out how to take the easiest classes and courses so they can skate by. (You’ve probably done it yourself in the past.) But if you want to grow, use continuing education as an opportunity to strengthen your weaknesses.

If you’re a respiratory therapist, for example, don’t take respiratory therapy CEU’s on ethics and professional boundaries if that’s something you’re already familiar with. If you know you’re lacking in knowledge on chronic progressive lung disease, that’s the course you need to take.

Leverage Strengths to Tackle Weaknesses

One of the best things you can do is leverage a strength to tackle a weakness. Take a weakness in public speaking as an example. While you might be totally lacking in this area, you know you have a strength in woodworking. Rather than giving a speech on something that you know nothing about, you could give a presentation on woodworking. If nothing else, your knowledge of this topic will give you more confidence.

Take it Step by Step

You don’t have to eat the whole enchilada at once. The best way to tackle a weakness is by addressing it one bite at a time. A step-by-step approach allows you to slowly improve your skills and build confidence.

Start by giving a one-minute speech in the mirror with nobody watching. Then challenge yourself to record yourself giving a presentation and upload it on YouTube. Next, do a Facebook Live where you present on a topic for five minutes. Then do it in person with a small audience. Then a larger audience, etc.

When you take this step-by-step approach, your weakness of public speaking (or whatever it is) becomes much more manageable. Try this strategy and see what you think.

Get Ready to Grow

Growth is rarely easy or painless. It requires effort, energy, time, and confrontation. But when it’s all said and done, professional development has a refining impact. It could take months or years, but your willingness to tackle your weaknesses head-on will produce positive results. Stay with it!

Lifestyle

Houseplant Styling Mistakes to Avoid in Home Décor

Published

7 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Michelle Langton

Bringing greenery indoors can instantly elevate a space — adding warmth, texture, and a sense of calm. However, styling houseplants successfully requires more than simply popping a fern in a corner and hoping for the best. From mismatched plant selections to poor placement and neglecting scale, even the most well-intentioned plant lovers can make styling missteps. Before you dive into your next indoor plant arrangement, it’s worth understanding the most common mistakes to avoid.

Whether you’re new to indoor greenery or a seasoned plant parent, brands like Hello Botanical make it easy to find the perfect plants and gifts that complement your interior style — but knowing how to display them properly will make all the difference.

Overcrowding Your Space with Too Many Plants
While it’s tempting to fill every available surface with greenery, too many plants can make your space feel cluttered and overwhelming. Each plant deserves breathing room to grow and be appreciated. Instead of bunching them together, try grouping a few in varying heights or textures for balance. A single large plant in a corner can make a stronger design statement than ten small ones scattered everywhere.

Ignoring Light Conditions
Aesthetics shouldn’t be your only consideration when placing plants. Many indoor plant styling mistakes stem from ignoring light needs. Some species, like fiddle leaf figs and succulents, crave bright indirect light, while others, such as snake plants or peace lilies, thrive in low-light corners. Assess the natural light in each room before choosing plants, and remember that not every green beauty will thrive on your coffee table or bathroom shelf.

Choosing the Wrong Pot or Planter
A pot isn’t just a decorative accessory — it affects your plant’s health and your home’s design balance. A mismatched or undersized pot can look awkward, while one without drainage can cause root rot. Select planters that complement your home’s aesthetic and suit each plant’s needs. Neutral ceramics, woven baskets, or textured terracotta pots can enhance the overall décor while allowing your greenery to shine.

Neglecting Scale and Proportion
One of the easiest ways to make a room look unbalanced is by ignoring scale. A tiny plant on a large table can feel lost, while an oversized monstera can overwhelm a small living room. Consider the proportions of your furniture and space before selecting plants. Taller plants like palms or rubber trees add height and drama, while trailing species such as pothos or string of pearls can soften shelves and hanging corners beautifully.

Forgetting to Mix Textures and Colours
Just as you’d layer textures and tones in your furnishings, apply the same principle to your plant styling. Combining different leaf shapes, shades of green, and plant structures creates visual interest. Pair glossy leaves with matte ones, upright plants with cascading varieties, and bold tropicals with delicate ferns. A well-curated mix feels intentional rather than chaotic.

Over-Decorating Around Your Plants
Plants are statement-makers in their own right. Surrounding them with too many decorative objects — candles, vases, or trinkets — can detract from their natural beauty. Let the greenery breathe and become a focal point. A simple setup often feels more elegant and modern than a crowded display.

Forgetting Functionality in Key Spaces
While plants bring undeniable style, practicality matters too. Avoid placing trailing vines where they’ll get tangled in workspace cords or near entryways where they can be knocked over. Similarly, keep moisture-loving plants away from electronics and ensure any planters with drainage are placed on trays to protect your floors and furniture.

Ignoring Consistency Across Your Home
Houseplants look their best when they contribute to a cohesive theme. Instead of choosing random species for each room, think about your home’s overall design. Are you going for a minimalist, Scandinavian aesthetic or something more lush and tropical? Repeating a few plant types or pot styles throughout creates unity and flow.

Overlooking Plant Care as Part of the Design
No matter how beautifully you style your plants, unhealthy or neglected greenery can spoil the look. Regular pruning, wiping leaves, and rotating pots to ensure even growth are key parts of maintaining your interior aesthetic. Healthy, thriving plants add vibrancy and life that no artificial décor can replicate.

Forgetting That Less Can Be More
Finally, remember that plants should enhance your décor, not dominate it. A few strategically placed, well-cared-for plants can transform a home far more effectively than a jungle of mismatched greenery. Focus on quality over quantity, and choose each plant intentionally to fit your style, lighting, and lifestyle.

When styled thoughtfully, houseplants can turn a space into a peaceful, inviting sanctuary

Avoiding these common mistakes helps you highlight their beauty while keeping your interiors cohesive and clutter-free. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or curating a lush indoor garden, start small, observe what works, and grow your collection with care.