What is your Achilles’ Heel?

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This page was first published on the 25th of February, 2017 and last updated on the 25th of February, 2017 by Patrick Carpen.

Do you have an Achilles’ heel? And what is it? What does that really mean? It simply means a soft spot where others can easily hurt you.

In Greek mythology, Achilles was a warrior who was invincible. This was because, when he was born, his mother held him by his heel and dipped him into a magical river. His whole body was submerged into the river except for the heel that his mother held on to while she dipped him.

Since his whole body was covered, no weapon could harm him, except on the heel which was not submerged. If anyone wounded him on his heel, it could prove fatal. This was his soft spot. This was Achilles’ heel.

Eventually, Achilles was killed by an arrow which struck him straight to the heel – the only part of his body where he could have been harmed.

Today, the expression “Achilles’ heel” is used as a metaphor for any vulnerable aspect of an exceptionally strong person.

What makes you weak? What one aspect of your circumstances or personality makes it easy for people to “get to you”. What one thing makes you break down and cry? What is your Achilles’ heel?

Related: What is your Kryptonite?

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