Can you identify your strengths?
It makes sense that working from your strengths would be the ideal way to get things done in order to achieve your goals. Whilst this is great in theory, putting it into practice isn’t always so obvious or easy to implement.
One of the main obstructions to putting the concept into place is the lack of clarity around what your strengths actually are.
So how do you get clear on them?
This secret will help you identify your strengths.
Where is your contentment?
There’s nothing really technical or magical about it; your strengths are those things you’re good at, and the things that you enjoy doing.
If you’re really present as you go about your day, and are mindful of how you’re feeling as you work your way through your to-do list, you’ll begin to notice when you feel inspired and motivated, or bored and tired. You may become aware of other feelings too; like excitement, frustration, or even just a sense of contentment.
Matching the task with the emotion you’re feeling at the time, you’ll soon become clear about what it is you enjoy doing, and what it is you’re good at. Those tasks bring you contentment or joy, and those you can do with your eyes closed and without fear or stress, will tell you, quite clearly, what your strengths are.
Putting it into practice
It’s all well and good to know what your strengths are, but you can’t simply up and refuse to do the tasks that bore or frustrate you, or that you find confusing and take you longer than they should. Someone has to do these jobs, and ignoring them or putting them in the too hard basket can make those things you are good at more difficult and less efficient.
If you have the option of doing so, surround yourself with people who complement your strengths and weaknesses; those people who enjoy doing those things that you can’t do or don’t want to do. This diversity in skills, experience, and of course, strengths, is ideal in any workplace or team.
Use it to your advantage
Even if you don’t have the option of sharing the load, you can use the awareness of your weaknesses to hone your skills. Being tuned in to what your strengths are can assist you in furthering your career, and setting yourself up as the go to person in that area. If you love it, and/or you’re good at it, don’t be scared to put your hand up and offer your services when the need arises.
Assist others, especially if you can identify your strengths as one of their weaknesses, and be aware of what’s happening around you, within your own team, or the broader workplace. If there’s an opportunity there to utilise your strengths, take it when and where you can.
Not only will you be doing the things you enjoy doing, you’ll find yourself moving into areas where you’ll be doing more of the things you love and doing less of those things you’d rather not be doing.
