All people often possess a combination of strengths and weaknesses. In some cases, these two may balance. However, most of the time one outweighs the other. The problem that most people have in a society that often seeks to remind them of their weaknesses is how to go about finding their strengths. In this article, we will see about ‘How To Find Your Strengths?’.
How To Find Your Strengths?
It’s easy for us to identify some of our weaknesses and in some cases, some of our ‘ so-called weaknesses’ because we are often reminded about them by people without asking them. For some strange reason, people are quick to point out one another’s weaknesses. Yet contrary to that, the process of discovering your own strengths is exactly that a process. This process often requires us to do research on ourselves.
There are a couple of steps to follow when you seek to uncover the strengths that you possess as a person. These steps include sitting with yourself and making a little list of the things you excel at. In addition to the introspection, you should gather information from external sources. Because though people are quick to remind you of your weakness sometimes, you need to ask them what it is that we’re good at because sometimes we’re not always aware. While seeking to discover your strengths, it is important to keep an open mind.
Writing down what you are good at is also a good way to identify your strengths. One of the easiest ways to identify your strengths is to find out what your personality type is.
Ways to find your strength
Question those around you-
Because we don’t always see the best in ourselves, one of the best ways to find out what your strengths are, is to ask those around you. The people around us observe us from the outside meaning that they also see where we excel and where we fail. It is those observations that they make that can be helpful in your journey to uncover the strengths that you possess. To better understand your strengths, especially those that you’re unaware of, consult the people closest to you.
That being said, the easiest way to do this is to literally ask them questions. Your questions should be direct, so you should ask them what they think you are good at. In addition to that, you can also ask them what kind of work they think suits you or people with your specific skill set. The people you should ask have to be those who are close to you such as family or friends. Sometimes even teachers or lecturers have a very good insight into what it is that you are best suited for.
Introspection-
There are moments in life when we need to be alone with ourselves to truly understand. With all the noise out there on social media. Sometimes the best thing that we can do for ourselves is to disconnect. During this period, you should look within and try to identify exactly who it is that you are. By taking a hard look at yourself, you actively begin to search for the traits that define you. Some of those traits are things that you can classify as strengths.
One of the key things you should seek to identify when doing the self-study which is introspection is to identify the kind of personality you have. In the past, it was difficult to figure out your personality type, today, however, there are online tests that you can take. Those tests ask you to answer a series of questions and based on your answers your personality type will be revealed to you. Each personality type is suited for specific job types, since our strengths are the things that will help us be successful in life it is important to know what they are.
One of the most important parts of introspection is the identification of your personality type because each personality type has a default set of strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to our personal strengths, it is best to know what they are.
Document what you do-
Some people call it a diary, and others call it a journal. Whatever you choose to call it, get yourself one. That book is important because, in it, you can document your hopes, dreams, and fears. In addition to that, you can also make note of the things that you enjoy doing. For example, if your week revolves around you waiting for the opportune time or moment to capture a picture, you’d write in your journal that you enjoy taking pictures.
That would be one of your strengths, capturing the moment. Perhaps your week consists f writing down your thoughts and opinions, this would mean that you enjoy keeping a record of things. From those two examples, it’s already clear that two of your strengths are in line with forms of communication. By writing down what it is you do, you are allowing yourself to keep a detailed record of what you are good at.
Compare and identify-
after you have conducted your research using different sources and techniques, the next thing you need to do, is take all the information you have gathered and look for points of overlap. Because we all have different strengths, one of the most common ways to identify if something is one of your strengths is to see how many times that specific thing appears across all your research.
Granted there may be some exceptions to the rule because sometimes the strengths that you identify are strengths that people tried to hide from you or couldn’t see in you. That is only normal. However, during the process of seeking your strengths, it is only normal that you compare everything you know and look for the repetitions that exist.
Don’t restrict your mind-
in situations where the subject of study is yourself, it is best to maintain an open and objective mind. When seeking your list of strengths, it is only normal that you may come across a few things that you either would have liked to not know or have kept secret. One of the best ways that we can learn something new even about ourselves is to keep an open mind. It is also important to remember that your strengths should not be allowed to take a back seat to your weaknesses.
People may say some things that you don’t agree with, or false things, all this is normal because though some genuinely want you to succeed others would much rather see you fail.
Conclusion-
Now We’ve learnt about ‘How To Find Your Strengths?’, We are all armed with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes the hardest thing that we can do is to identify the strengths we have. It is a process that requires us to conduct research on ourselves and the people around us will help from whoever is available during the time of the assignment. One of the best ways to find your strength is by asking about it. It is important to identify your strengths because they will come in handy as you maneuver through life.
Frequently asked questions
- Does everyone have strengths?
Yes, everyone has strengths and things that they are good at.
- Can strengths help you succeed?
The strengths that you possess if utilized right can be a major contributing factor to your success.
