Here’s one of the most counterproductive—and, frankly, unintelligent—statements I’ve ever heard: “I don’t want to be part of the problem. I want to be part of the solution.”

This isn’t typically something that ignorant or uneducated people would say. In fact, I once heard these two sentences from someone I know to be a high achiever and high-net-worth individual (and probably even ultra-high-net-worth by now). On several occasions, I’ve seen him interact with his children in a remarkably empathetic and patient manner. The guy clearly has multiple forms of intelligence at his disposal. Still, I don’t believe that “not wanting to be part of the problem” is a smart stance for him to take.

We have much more control over ourselves than we do over others. In many cases, solving a problem is easier when we’ve messed up ourselves—or at least played a part in it. That said, it’s pointless to habitually blame ourselves and dismiss other people’s involvement. Instead, it’s important to be aware that every problem typically has more than one cause, depending on how we look at it. And while keeping this in mind, we’re well-advised to place a high value on overcoming our own weaknesses.

At the end of the day, it’s all about what matters more to us: the outcomes we create or our ego’s need for pampering. For some people, dealing with their weaknesses is about as appealing as eating dirty, stinking socks for breakfast (believe me, I have no idea where that came from). For others, confronting their weaknesses is essential for getting what they want in life.

Let me paint you a picture that drives this point home. Imagine your life as a car with a flat tire. You want that car to be faster, and you know the engine is its best asset. Still, even a good mechanic can’t unleash the engine’s full power without fixing the flat tire—or, even better, replacing it. And yet, you go ahead and get the motor tuned up. But does this give you what you wanted? Not likely, because without fixing that flat tire, it’s impossible to get all that horsepower on the road.

Of course, your life isn’t a car. And while many people seem to get away with ignoring their weaknesses and relying solely on their strengths, they do pay a price—a price I believe they could easily avoid.