We want to use our strengths a little bit every day. This includes utilizing our strengths as we live our calling and live a legacy.
Often times we have a good idea of our strengths, but sometimes we haven’t thought about the full extent of our strengths. Here is what everyone needs to know about their strengths.
1. Skills are not strengths
Our strengths are not simply skills. So an ability to keep a clean workspace, or operate heavy machinery or balance a budget are not strengths – these are skills. However, using these skllls may utilize some strengths that we have. The skill of balancing a budget might use a strength of analytical. Operating heavy machinery might us a strength of discipline.
Our strengths are not a skill that can be passed on and taught, but are rather things that come naturally to us. Where others struggle, we apply with ease.
2. Our strengths are integrated with who we are
Our strengths are natural inborn talents that have been developed into strengths. These talents are a part of us so much that often it affects the way we see the world.
One of my strengths is to take things from good to great. It’s what I do. I can’t leave things alone. If you put me at the head of a committee to maintain something, I’m not leaving it alone. I’m looking for ways to improve it. If people wanted someone to keep things going as they were, they’ve got the wrong guy.
3. Our strengths are at a deeper level
Our strengths are at a more fundamental level than we normally think. We think, for example, that teaching is a strength, that it takes a special kind of person to teach. While this is true, teaching isn’t the strength. Instead, the strengths are the underlying abilities that the teacher applies to great teaching.
This is why there are so many great teachers with such differing styles. One teacher might have a skill of focus that helps the students wade through the complexity and focus on the essential truths. Another might have a skill of strategic and walk the students through a bunch of scenarios. Yet another teacher might be a great relator that tells great stories.
The really cool thing about strengths being more fundamental is that it opens up possibilities. I might be a great teacher, but my strengths might also let me be a great writer, or a great leader. I might even use the same mix of strengths that I have in each of these situations just by applying them differently.
4. Our strengths might be hidden from us
Lastly our strengths might be hidden from us. Our strengths might come so naturally to us that we think it’s nothing. It took no effort, so it’s nothing special. This is why some of us think we don’t have any strengths.
If you’re not sure what your strengths are, or you don’t think you have any strengths, listen to what other people tell you.
I was talking with a mentor of mine and explaining to him how I found my career and how it needs to be tweaked to discover a calling. I had drawn a Venn diagram on a piece of paper, and he said, “Wow! I would never come up with any of this in a thousand years. You’ve got a talent here.” To me this wasn’t anything special. This is just how I think about things.
Listen to your friends and family, they may recognize your strengths more easily that you.
The Gallup organization has formulated, through research, 34 underlying strengths. If you’re curious and want to know more you can pick up the book, Strengths Finder 2.0, or you can check out their web site at: http://www.strengthsfinder.com
What about you? What are your strengths? Go ahead and brag a bit. Tell us about them.
