Showing posts with label strengths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strengths. Show all posts

Thursday, January 30, 2014

My Strengths...

So at work we are reading a book about using your strengths rather than your weaknesses in order to do more in life (and obviously business). Today I took an online test to discover my personal strengths.



Here are my top 5 results in the order revealed by my responses: I am curious, what do you think? Are these truly my strengths?

Intellection
You like to think. You like mental activity. You like exercising the “muscles” of your brain, stretching them in multiple directions. This need for mental activity may be focused; for example, you may be trying to solve a problem or develop an idea or understand another person’s feelings. The exact focus will depend on your other strengths. On the other hand, this mental activity may very well lack focus. The theme of Intellection does not dictate what you are thinking about; it simply describes that you like to think. You are the kind of person who enjoys your time alone because it is your time for musing and reflection. You are introspective. In a sense you are your own best companion, as you pose yourself questions and try out answers on yourself to see how they sound. This introspection may lead you to a slight sense of discontent as you compare what you are actually doing with all the thoughts and ideas that your mind conceives. Or this introspection may tend toward more pragmatic matters such as the events of the day or a conversation that you plan to have later. Wherever it leads you, this mental hum is one of the constants of your life.

Input
You are inquisitive. You collect things. You might collect information—words, facts, books, and quotations—or you might collect tangible objects such as butterflies, baseball cards, porcelain dolls, or sepia photographs. Whatever you collect, you collect it because it interests you. And yours is the kind of mind that finds so many things interesting. The world is exciting precisely because of its infinite variety and complexity. If you read a great deal, it is not necessarily to refine your theories but, rather, to add more information to your archives. If you like to travel, it is because each new location offers novel artifacts and facts. These can be acquired and then stored away. Why are they worth storing? At the time of storing it is often hard to say exactly when or why you might need them, but who knows when they might become useful? With all those possible uses in mind, you really don’t feel comfortable throwing anything away. So you keep acquiring and compiling and filing stuff away. It’s interesting. It keeps your mind fresh. And perhaps one day some of it will prove valuable.

Strategic
The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, “What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?” This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path—your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: “What if?” Select. Strike.

Adaptability
You live in the moment. You don’t see the future as a fixed destination. Instead, you see it as a place that you create out of the choices that you make right now. And so you discover your future one choice at a time. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have plans. You probably do. But this theme of Adaptability does enable you to respond willingly to the demands of the moment even if they pull you away from your plans. Unlike some, you don’t resent sudden requests or unforeseen detours. You expect them. They are inevitable. Indeed, on some level you actually look forward to them. You are, at heart, a very flexible person who can stay productive when the demands of work are pulling you in many different directions at once.

Connectedness
Things happen for a reason. You are sure of it. You are sure of it because in your soul you know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious. Others may label it spirit or life force. But whatever your word of choice, you gain confidence from knowing that we are not isolated from one another or from the earth and the life on it. This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. We must not exploit because we will be exploiting ourselves. Your awareness of these responsibilities creates your value system. You are considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, you are a bridge builder for people of different cultures. Sensitive to the invisible hand, you can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. The exact articles of your faith will depend on your upbringing and your culture, but your faith is strong. It sustains you and your close friends in the face of life’s mysteries.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Remember You Are Strong

So last topic was weaknesses...so obviously this time is strengths. I almost didn't do this. First of all, kind of obvious as a follow up. Also this one is harder for me. I see faults much more than I see strengths. And even the ones I acknowledge I don't feel extremely comfortable talking about. Not really a big fan of braggers or of bragging myself.

On the other hand, one of my weaknesses IS a low self view of myself so I decided ultimately that I needed to make myself think this one through as well. So...here they are - 5 strengths I see in myself:

1. I push myself.
So...yeah I know this was my first weakness, but I also believe it is a strength. I like to take care of those in my life (and sometimes random people as well...). I push myself often far beyond that is required of me. I do the unexpected. I try to (and mostly succeed at) being there for people regardless of what is going on in my own life. Simply put I put others above myself. This may reflect, again, my self esteem issues, but I don't really think so. I think it is what I excel at. I have a big heart and I push myself to be true to it and to use that emotion and love for good.

2. I am forgiving.
There are many in my life that would say I am way to forgiving, but I disagree. The past is just that, past. Everyone needs another chance. I know I certainly do. I have heard it said that Christians should forgive because we are forgiven. Maybe being raised in that mindset affects my life now. I forgive, though. Who am I not to forgive? Sometimes this leads to pain for me, and/or me living through things again and again that are hurtful. There is a time when you need to step away from hurtful people in your life, but you can always forgive. I think I am good at this.

3. Kids love me.
It is true. I am so good with kids, especially younger ones. Holding a baby is one of the most joyful things I can imagine in life. (Yes, even a crying one! lol) I have always been that way. As I get older I find it harder and harder to spend significant amounts of time with children, mostly due to physical limitations (I get tired and my body is too sore to trust myself to hold them etc.) but I still love them so much! And I still can feel that they love me. Might not mean anything in particular but I am proud of it. Children love me.

4.I push excellence.
This might be similar to pushing myself, but I mean it in a slightly different way. I demand excellence of the things I do. When I do my work I do it well. (I might procrastinate but when I do it, it is good!). When I host something I make sure it is extra nice. When I help Michael with his homework I refuse to allow him to stop until it is the best it can be. When I...well you get the idea! I demand excellence of myself. Occasionally this can be problematic because I tend to also expect excellence from others and get frustrated by the lack of it but...that is another issue.

5. I have good hair.
This is totally superficial  and maybe I shouldn't list it as a strength but...want to know my good points? My hair. My red hair. The end. I love my hair. :)