Weakness vs Perspective

My memory sucks. It really fails me a lot more than I would like. I don't know how it stacks up to other people's, but I often feel quite limited by mine. I usually forget people's names about 0.5 seconds after they are introduced to me, and that isn't an exaggeration. I regularly fail to recall in conversation words and names that I normally know. In addition I do not pick up or remember salient facts in books and articles that I read. I might remember the general idea, but not the details. As such I would qualify my ability to remember as a weakness of mine.


As a weakness I can resign myself to just not remember things well. I can accept it and simply live my life underperforming in all the areas where a good memory would benefit me (such as every single area ever).


Or...


I can reframe my perspective on my underperforming memory. Instead of a weakness it is a motivator to document things well. To write down the things I know I will forget in order to be able to reference them later. Not only that, but if I record the information in a clear and appealing way I can share it with others so they can benefit and enjoy the information and perspective that I have collected.


I have done this since my first real job. I write a "how to do my job" document. It started because I asked my lead the same question three times and he got annoyed at me. I realized I needed to compensate. Since then I have done it in every position I've had. I organize things logically. I document everything I can. In the process I learn the stuff and I do eventually remember most of it.
Then, even if I forget, I have it all written down to reference and it has paid off more than once when I have had to train in a new person. The training has gone really quickly and smoothly because I can hand them a fully documented process and then just stand by to provide clarification and answer andy questions.


We all have weaknesses. Some are harder to overcome than others. However, I believe that if you try you can find a way that any weakness offers a different perspective that can be used as a benefit if not a strength.


P.S. My youngest spilled water all over my computer so... Yeah I missed a post and I don't know how consistent I will be able to be now. I can post from work, but I don't always have time to write. :(