Golden: Don't Lose Sight of Your Strengths

It's easy to become focused on what you feel your limitations are, while losing sight of your strengths. Everyone has unique aptitudes and abilities. Yet, it's too common to lose sight of your strengths. When this happens, you will tend to concentrate on your weaknesses instead.

You then become wrapped up in what you can't do, rather than what you can do. Within you are strengths you may not be aware of. Without knowledge of your assets, it is just as if they don't exist. 

Before you can focus on your strengths, you must know what they are. How do you identify them? Start with devoting enough time to personal introspection. People who don't know a lot about themselves usually haven't spent much time with some self-analysis.

Learning about yourself isn't really that hard. But if you are not used to doing it, it may seem a little awkward. It does take some effort and you might have to do a little digging. Regardless of what you have been told or what you believe, you do have strengths.

Any aspect of your personality can be a strength. Strengths are not necessarily based on formal education or training. Here are some characteristics to spark your thinking: patience, integrity, focus, good with people, friendly, helpful, caring, inquisitive, pleasant, hard worker, thoughtful, devoted, diligent, thorough, persistent, generous, efficient, organized, and compassionate.

This is not an exhaustive list. These are just a few examples to get your mind into gear. Personality traits are even more valuable than knowledge because, although an individual can develop these traits, they can't be taught.

In addition to your personality traits, there are other components that can also be strengths. You may not be aware of it, but there is something you have an aptitude for. Perhaps it's musical ability, mechanical ability, mathematical ability, or cooking ability. Some other examples of strengths are the ability to organize, being a quick learner, having a good memory, or the ability to teach others.

Even what you enjoy as recreational activities can be strengths. You may be good at one or more sports, have a specific hobby, enjoy travelling, like working with kids, or enjoy building or fixing things. Anything can be a strength. Don't put any limits on what you think about and you will find you can add things to your list you may never have previously considered.

Once you have identified your strengths, you can tap into them in a variety of ways. First, and foremost, think about all of your strengths for a mental boost whenever you feel down. Next, consider ways to utilize your strengths to make your life more productive.

Your occupation is one way to apply your strengths. It's great if you love the line of work you are in. If not, look for ways to capitalize on your personal assets to find a pursuit that you really enjoy. Whatever your strengths may be, there are people who use those same strengths in their occupation. People even make a living doing what you do for fun. 

There is no reason why you can't do something you love. If you are not happy with your current job, you should explore changing direction to something that makes you happy and that you find satisfying.

Don't get caught up with what you feel you can't do. Everyone has things they are not good at. You want to concentrate on your strengths and put them to work for the purpose of a happier, more enjoyable life. Begin each day by reviewing your strengths and you won't lose sight of them.