Welcome to the Freak Show!

If this is your first time visiting my blog, the message below provides a brief overview for you.

What is this blog about?

To answer that, let me ask you a question. What's your problem? I'm serious. What is your problem? What do you wish you could change about yourself? What is the complaint that you hear the most from those closest to you, your friends, co-workers, and family members? Are you too loud, too hyper, too organized, not organized enough? You get the idea.

So, what should you do? Most people think that they should find and fix their weaknesses. Unfortunately, this just leads to frustration and failure. Your weaknesses are actually the best clue to your strengths. Furthermore, building your strengths, not fixing your weaknesses, is your best strategy for success.

The Freak Factor is designed to encourage you to become more of who you are, not to turn you into someone else. It's about becoming more different, more unique, not more average and more mediocre.

Who is David Rendall?

I've been a paper boy, stock boy, lawn boy, painter, assistant coach, job coach, tutor and nonprofit manager. Right now, I'm a professor, speaker, author, consultant, father, husband and marathon runner.

At 6'6" and 180 lbs, I've been called a lot of things including: twiggy, melvin, walking stick, doc and the freak. I was always in trouble for being obnoxious and disruptive in school (and sometimes at work) but I've found a way to reframe my weaknesses as strengths and I want to share what I've learned with you.

Comments

[David Rendall]

Rosalyn,

Thank you for your comment. Great question!

Your, "to a fault," comment is exactly what I'm trying to deal with on this blog. I don't think your independence is a fault. The Freak Factor suggests that any strength can also be seen as a weakness. The key is to frame your uniqueness in a positive way and find situations that reward you for being independent.

I have a similar "fault," which is why I run my own business. This way, I get to do what I want and my independence is an advantage, instead of a disability.

Dave

[Rosalyn Allison-Jacobs]

Okay, David, try this one on for size. How does one translate a fiercely (to a fault) independent spirit into a viable career in a sector that is so dependent on - well - groveling for support. Perhaps false (and unjustified?) pride is my obnoxious trait that needs to be worked on.

[Brian Welch]

"At 6'6" and 180 lb"

Now I know why you and Joel get along so well!

Although I think Joel only weighs about 125 lbs.

j/k