How to Discover Your Strengths

The most important part of figuring out what you want or what you are worth is discovering our abilities. What you know and who you are encompassed in the talents or gifts you possess.

Steps

  1. 1
    Complete some assessment activities. There are many free self-evaluation tools "out there" on the internet. While none of them is perfect, each of them can help give you insight into the types and themes of your strengths.
  2. 2
    Reflect on the survey/test results. Do you agree with the results of the surveys or tests? Do people who have known you for a period of time agree with the results? Are they meaningful to you? Did you discover something about yourself that you had not noticed before?
  3. Image titled Discover Your Strengths Step 1
    3
    Find like minded people. Who are your most loved friends? What ever you find valuable in them, you are likely to have a heaping helping of yourself.
  4. Image titled Discover Your Strengths Step 2
    4
    Set goals. Find ways to use your new insights about yourself to make your life better.
  5. Image titled Discover Your Strengths Step 3
    5
    Know your perspective. What engages you for which particular side of the argument? Are you for or against...the topic under discussion? Understanding whether the opinion of others is something you are concerned about can help you map your response to any given situation. Are you a people pleaser? A loner? Perhaps it is your strength to bring others to consensus? All of this is helpful to know about yourself.
  6. 6
    Leverage your strengths to solve problems. When looking at something you don't want to do, reflect on how you could use one or more of your strengths to approach the challenge. Leveraging a strength is generally easier and more fun than pushing against a weaknesses, and can make problem solving much less stressful.
  7. Image titled Discover Your Strengths Step 4
    7
    Wield your passion to become skilled in leveraging your strengths. What gets your creative and learning juices flowing? Chances are you already know what you love. Do you like criticizing or enjoy watching movies? Chances are you have some directorship qualities and even an eye for cinematography.
  8. Image titled Discover Your Strengths Step 5
    8
    Nurture the strengths you already have. Joining a class, engaging a project, helping someone else learn your hobby... are all excellent ways to play to your strengths and nurture your talents.
  9. Image titled Discover Your Strengths Step 6
    9
    Remain positive. Your own opinion of yourself has a strong influence on your ability to move forward. History is riddled with inventors and entrepreneurs who have leveraged their strengths in a positive manner. Just because you don't think you might be good at something does not mean you aren't actually qualified. Just because someone else is better at a skill does not mean you lack talent. Don't undercut your own opportunities with negative self talk.
  10. Image titled Discover Your Strengths Step 7
    10
    Adapt and compromise. Skills and strengths may change, and you may not have an ability you once did. Give yourself the grace to carry on with a new strength or engage yourself in a new pursuit. Any skill or strength can be developed beyond it's current level.

Tips

  • Use the talents you have and keep a balanced outlook on your abilities and strengths. (Avoid extreme mood swings, etc.)
  • Tune in by meditation or prayer. A little peace of mind can help clarify some questions you have about your abilities.
  • Start using sentences beginning with "I rock at.... " or "I am very good at..."

Warnings

  • Use your strengths only for the good. They were given to you for a purpose and should help others as well as yourself.
  • Be open. If you find out something you didn't know- teach someone else how to do it well.
  • Do not allow the opinions of others get in the way of figuring things out for yourself. The goal is to find the truth about yourself- so ask with discretion and base observations on reality not objectivity.

Things You'll Need

  • A positive outlook.
  • Your parents and friends (they know you better than anyone)
  • A clean slate

Article Info

Categories: Goal Realization & Problem Solving