You have strengths and weaknesses, just like every other person in the world. But few people intentionally take advantage of and leverage their strengths. Imagine the impact you could have on your life and the lives of others by leveraging your strengths.
Oftentimes, people believe that if something is a strength there is nothing more that is needed there.
WRONG!
So with that thought, people tend to lean more into putting effort into doing something about their weaknesses.
While your weaknesses are not to be ignored, ignoring your strengths to solely focus on strengthening your weaknesses is probably doing you a disservice.
Benefits of utilizing your strengths
You can earn more money
Your strengths are valuable. It’s why you hear the word strengths and gifts used interchangeably. Think about it…
Gifts have some sort of value to them, whether monetarily, sentimental, or any other value depending on who they come from and who they are given to.
The more value you can provide to the world each day, it is likely the higher your earning potential will be.
Boost your self-esteem
Self-esteem and believing in yourself is so important to the accomplishment of goals. When you utilize your strengths, you can enhance your self-esteem by spending your time doing things at which you excel. I oftentimes tell my clients that when you accomplish things (especially those you feel are out of your reach) it creates a cycle of positivity and further belief in yourself. With each accomplishment, you essentially fill your tank, giving you gas to keep going to the next destination.
When you’re good at something, it feels good to do it.
When you do things poorly, the opposite tends to occur.
Do things that you are good at. And you can even do that while working on things that need extra effort.
Give your career a boost
Your strengths, skills, and gifts are not only valuable to you, but they are valuable in the work that you do. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a full-time employee, your strengths bring a ton of value to the table and can leverage opportunities in the work that you do.
Provide more value to your work or your employer and you’ll be viewed as more valuable, and in turn, paid accordingly.
Impact
You make a bigger impact on the world when you utilize your strengths more often. The entire world benefits when you put your strengths to work on a regular basis.
We sometimes get hung up on the word impact. We think that impact can only be made on a large scale.
Wrong, again…
The impact of something is one of those things that can’t fully be measured. Here’s why…
You may feel like in leveraging your strengths you only impacted 5 people. But the seeds you plant within those five people can go on to impact hundreds, and thousands, even.
No gift or strength is too small.
The amount of an impact that you make is not the focus. The fact that you make an impact is what makes the difference.
Now that we have gotten clear on the benefits of utilizing your strengths, let’s talk about how you actually leverage your strengths.
5 Steps to Leverage Your Strengths
Identify your strengths
You can’t leverage what you haven’t identified.
What are you better at than the average person?
Keep in mind that programming the DVR probably doesn’t count as a marketable skill. But here are a few ideas:
- Influencing others
- Networking
- Public speaking
- Writing
- Computer programming
- Website design
- Education
- Athleticism
- Photography
Be sure to ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their opinions. Emphasizing the importance of their honesty. You may have strengths you never considered.
The people around you may have noticed things you’ve failed to notice about yourself.
Convince yourself
If you don’t believe these things to be strengths, then they really can’t serve you.
You have to convince yourself that these really are personal strengths that you possess.
What proof do you have that you’re a great writer, listener, or public speaker?
A quick way to find the evidence is to pretend you’re in a job interview.
What evidence would you give that you have writing skills?
- I have written for three very popular blogs for over a year.
- I have completed several college courses in creative writing.
- I’m currently writing a book.
- I have written four articles for various magazines.
Take some time and validate all of your identified strengths.
Define what works
Determine how you can put these strengths to work for you.
Consider your current job, social situation, finances, and every other aspect of your life.
How can you leverage your skills to boost your life?
Are you in the correct job to take full advantage of your skills? Maybe it is time to start considering another career.
Do your hobbies utilize your skills? Maybe you could create a side hustle off of your hobby.
Could your strengths be used to build a stronger social network, which in turn can help to promote your talents and make others aware of your greatness?
Make a plan
Develop a plan to make the most of your strengths. It’s okay to start small, but avoid selling yourself short.
Maximizing your strengths is your way to where you want to be, both in your personal and professional life.
Make a plan to apply your strengths to at least three key areas of your life.
Be aggressive in your long-term outlook.
Build Skills
Continue to build your strengths and skills to a higher level. Never stop developing your strengths.
By putting energy into making yourself better in an area that you already excel in, you set yourself up for a further advantage.
Remember to continuously reevaluate your strengths. Be it each year, quarterly, or even monthly.
You’ll develop new strengths over time. Ensure you’re continuously building and evaluating yourself.
Within your plan, include in it an intention to develop your greatest strengths even further.
What resources do you have available to you?
Are there books or seminars that are applicable?
Could you find a mentor or coach?
Your strengths are unique to you, and the way you apply them can be just as unique.
Make the most of your natural and acquired talents and maximize your life.
The entire world benefits when you’re applying your strengths each day. Make a plan to leverage your strengths.
Looking for help identifying your strengths and weaknesses?
Check out my coaching services to see if we would be a good match to work together. You can request additional information, or even book a discovery call to see if we would be a good fit to help you advance to your next level.
