Face
Your Strengths
Face your strengths…what
could I possibly mean by that?
I'd like you to consider
that you have a set of unique strengths. Your strengths are those
ways of thinking, relating or doing things that come easily and naturally
to you. By understanding what your strengths are and developing them
to their potential, you will achieve more and be happier.
I'm asking you to face
your strengths. Why "face your strengths", like facing a fear? The
answer is because most of us are, in a way, frightened by our strengths.
Isn't it much easier to hide behind our weaknesses as an excuse not
to achieve something? For example, "I just don't have the follow-through
to write a novel," or "I don't know XYZ, so I couldn't possibly do
that job."
Following is my favorite
quote of ALL time. He sums it up better than I could ever possibly
say it:
"Our greatest fear
is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves,
"Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God, your playing
small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened
about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around
you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It
is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our light
shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates
others."
- Nelson Mandela,
Inaugural Speech
Your "playing small does not serve the world." If you ever find yourself
short on courage, think of this. If you ever feel egotistical when you
acknowledge a strength you have, think of this quote.
From the book, Now,
Discover Your Strengths:
"Is it egotistical to
spend your life building on your strengths? Building on your strengths
isn't necessarily about ego. It is about responsibility. Your natural
talents are gifts from God, or accidents of birth, depending on
the articles of you faith. Either way, you had nothing to do with
them. However, you have a great deal to do with fashioning them
into strengths. To avoid your strengths and to focus on your weaknesses
isn't a sign of diligent humility. It is almost irresponsible."
OK, so now you get the
idea. But now you're saying, "I don't even know what my strengths
are!"
Discovering your strengths
is all about getting to know yourself really well. For those of you
that have taken my class "Target Your Dream Job", you will recognize
this as Step #1. Luckily, there are lots of ways to get to know yourself
better. Here are a few:
-
Get the book, Now,
Discover Your Strengths. It will give you access to an online
assessment that will tell you your top five strengths. The assessment
was based on years of research by the Gallop Organization. You must
purchase the book. A password is provided that you can only use
once (so borrowing from the library won't work.)
-
Take the Needs and
Values assessment tests, available through me via e-mail for $20.
This is an assessment available at no cost to my clients and the
one that they find extremely valuable. It can be life changing.
Your Values align very closely to your Strengths. If you'd like
to have a session over the phone to discuss your results, I can
provide that for an additional $45.
-
Read some of the following
books: Finding Your Own North Star, I Could Do Anything
If I Only Knew What It Was, The Purpose of Your Life,
Making Your Dreams Come True. They all contain many questions
and exercises that can help you. If any of you know of others that
you can recommend, please e-mail me.
-
Take some other assessment
tests. If you work in a corporation, see if someone in HR can administer
the MBTI. Or, you can take the DiSC assessment by calling (800)
278-1292. It is $24.95 to take online or $15.50 paper version. Contact
me for a professional who can discuss your DiSC results with you,
if you like.
-
Take my Target your
Dream Job class or group coaching. Each provides you with more tools
to help you know yourself really well.
-
Schedule personal coaching
to specifically address getting to know you better. I have a 14
page Passion checklist that I work with my clients on that is a
synopsis of the best exercises out there to help you know yourself.
Whew! If that list doesn't
get you started, I don't know what will.
My final message: You have
gifts to give to the world. Help make the world a better place by
realizing what they are and sharing them. It doesn't do you or anyone
else any good if they are locked in your basement!
THIS MONTH'S ACTION
STEPS
I've given you lots of
follow-up items in the list above. Your only assignment is to: