I hope you have had the opportunity to discover your strengths through some testing instrument like Strengths Finder 2.0. Highly successful people normally have a good understanding of themselves. They are more aware, and they focus in the area of their strengths.
Knowing your strengths will open allow you to target your energy in the areas that will most likely be successful. If you want to be exceptional, focus on what you are good at. Seems simple.
When I took the Strengths Finder test, I discovered my top five strengths were learner, strategic, analytical, intellection, and responsibility.
If I had read the list of 34 strengths before I took the test, I would have been able to divide the list in two halves. One half being strengths, and the other half weaknesses (or weaker strengths). I would not have been able to specifically define my top five strengths.
So what does knowing provide me? Based on my strengths, I know the following. I like to learn. I like to evaluate situations or circumstances and find the best solution. I like logic, data, patterns and connections. I like to think, and I own my commitments.
These strengths support my focus and interest in personal growth, and daily reflection. Even though I think personal growth and reflection would be beneficial to everyone, not everyone embraces this idea for themselves.
My strengths determine how I see the world, and how I enjoy life. They define my view of how the world should be. I sometimes make the mistake of assuming that people are like me.
You have your own lens through which you view the world. Your view is just as strong as mine, only it is different. You have to be you, and I have to be myself.
Because I know my strengths, and I reflect daily on my success, I have learned that I do better when I use my strengths. The farther out of my strength zone I go, the more frustrated I get with my results. My strength zone is not the same as my comfort zone. I am best when I continue to learn, when I find problems that need solved, and when I can use data and research to support my activities. I also do best when I have time to think about my work, not just do it.
Recently I have been trying to reduce the scope of my activities to really focus on my strengths. It has increased my success, my energy, and improved my attitude. I am more excited now about the future. If you know your strengths, find a way to leverage them. If you don’t know them, grab a copy of Strengths Finder 2.0.