Do More Of What You Don’t Like Doing

In the entrepreneurial and coaching industry, there’s a ton of advice out there that goes like this:?

You should invest time in improving your weaknesses.??

But there’s also the opposite advice out there:?

You should hire people to do what you’re good at so that you can focus on playing to your strengths.?

I can—and I’m sure you can, too—see both pros and cons of both sides of this argument. But what if there’s an activity that’s crucial to your success, and it’s not really helpful to think of that activity in terms of your weaknesses or strengths? I’ll give you an example: Reading. Stay with me on this.?

Cameron Bawden’s Insight

Recently a guest on my podcast opened up that he doesn’t like reading, yet he’s still committed to reading business books for 20 minutes a day? Why? Even though he hates reading, he’s clear that the rewards of doing this unlikeable activity far outweigh the short-term discomfort of not enjoying sitting down with a good book.?

In my guest’s perspective, it’s got nothing to do with whether he’s good or bad at reading. In other words, it’s got diddly squat to do with his strengths or weaknesses.?

My guest was Cameron Bawden, an entrepreneurial trailblazer who has co-founded multiple successful ventures (see list below) and is just getting started. Cameron is passionate about connecting with fellow business owners and driving growth. He’s also the host of the “Flying High with Cam” podcast, which he records while flying in his chopper (yes you read that right), and the co-host of “The Premium Mindset” podcast.?

Expanding the Conversation

Cameron came on my show, “Scaling Up Business,” and I was struck by how when we talk about self-development, we often default to a conversation about strengths versus weaknesses. Now, while that conversation is helpful, I think we should also broaden it to include talking about doing sh!t that we simply don’t like doing.?

When something doesn’t align perfectly with our passions, we naturally feel like it’s a chore, draining our energy and enthusiasm. And so we put it off. Or we just never get around to doing it, ever.?

Overcoming Aversion: A Path to Growth

So that’s what I’m all about today: Is there something in your entrepreneurial journey that’s blocking you simply because you’re adverse to it? Even though you’re good at doing administrative tasks, do they get your goat? Even though you’re a natural at networking events, does attending them make your blood boil? Even though you can ace public speaking, does doing it piss you off??

Why not do more of what you don’t like doing, especially if it’s going to help you in the long run reach your scaling up dreams??

Putting People First When Scaling

Be sure to check out my full chat with Cameron Bawden in which we talk about everything from his unique approaches to scaling multiple businesses, to shooting high for revenue goals, to combining his love of flying helicopters with podcasting.?

Thanks to Cameron Bawden for inspiring this article. Connect with Cameron on Linkedin and check out his companies, Green Mango Pest Control , Coconut Cleaning , and Agave Auto Glass .??

Listen to episodes of the Scaling Up Business Podcast with Bill Gallagher on your favorite podcast player:?

• Apple Podcasts .
• Spotify .?
• Amazon Music