As a society we mainly focus on the identification of one’s weaknesses. With this unhealthy fixation with failure how can we expect individuals to thrive? Personal growth is often times concerned with providing what are essentially bandaids for our weaknesses; this supposedly makes for more rounded individuals. What if that’s just a broken paradigm? What if we’re going about this all wrong?
What if we broke the mold and focused on our strengths? While it would be foolish to suggest blind ignorance of the weaknesses every individual has why give that the lion’s share of the attention?
Many people go throughout their entire lives unaware of their strengths. Why is that?
Why Strengths Seem Hidden
The areas in life that we are strongest at are the ones that come easiest. Human beings tend to be self-centered and let’s face it, aren’t we often guilty of assuming that others should see the world just the same way we do? The truth is, they don’t. What comes so easy to you is probably not so simple for someone else. Our strengths are so natural that they come to us like breathing; it’s automatic.
Here’s another analogy; imagine that humans somehow developed a method for communicating with fish. What would a fish say to a human when asked what it’s like to live and breathe water? What do you think the fish would say? The fish wouldn’t have any idea what we were talking about; the best case scenario is that they would know what water was but think of it as mundane and not worth much thought. “It’s water; it’s just there. Tell me more about this air you humans live in! What’s that like?”
How to Identify Strengths
If you can’t see your own value or merit for yourself how on earth can you identify your strengths? That’s easy, you can’t! You will have to rely on other people to give you feedback on their perceptions since they have the essential distance with which to make the observation.
Think back; what do your friends and coworkers most often say about you? What are you known for at work? Is there a particular task you often end up being assigned? For example, I know a friend who is the equivalent of the biblical Joseph; give her a bag of chips and she can divide it 5 different ways equally without even trying. This extends to more ambiguous tasks like scheduling. Her strength is in resource management and she would be wise to consider a career in that area. When told this she said she had never thought of it.
In addition to thinking back over what people have observed in the past consider polling certain trustworthy individuals in your life and writing down what they say. Look for patterns and take them seriously; these are more than likely your strengths.
Another great practice is to start identifying the strengths of those around you; as one comes to understand others they come to better understand themselves.
Playing to your strengths in business and life can maximize successes and lead to a higher quality of life.
This guest article was contributed by Jennifer Bell from Health Training Guide. Check out her site to learn more about physician and surgeon training and other exciting health careers.
