Finding Your Strengths!

In order to key in on how YOU can function best as a person, I challenge you to identify your strengths! You probably have a pretty good idea at some of the things that inspire you, come easy to you, and challenge you. Putting those thoughts into specific characteristics can help you see a bigger picture as to how your specific talents can fit into other areas of life.

First, think about what you're good at, what inspires you, what comes easy to you, and several characteristics that others admire about you. List your Top 4 (for example: critical thinking, hope for the future, enthusiasm, including others, task focused/OR relationship focused etc.).

Second, go to http://www.viasurvey.org/ and briefly register (FREE) to take the VIA-SURVEY FOR CHARACTER STRENGTHS. I highly recommend this questionnaire and use it in my own personal coaching sessions. It takes about 35 minutes to take the 240 question survey. When completed, it measures you on 24 different strength levels. Note your top 4 and bottom 4.

Third, take your TOP 4 STRENGTHS and think about new ways to use them. For example: if your strength is creativity, set aside specific hours to simply increase your creativity levels (by writing, reading, making). If your strength is appreciation of beauty/nature, find better ways to incorporate this into your life (take a scenic route home, take a walk after dinner, set aside time for some fresh air). Ultimately, strive to push the envelope with your strengths in order to start growing them.

Finally, when you are doing something you love, enjoy, and are good at- your body and mind will respond! You're "pleasure center" (septum pellicidium & hypothalamus) in the brain will excrete domaine into the body creating a satisfied feeling. Dopamine directly effects mood, sleep, cognition, voluntary movement, motivation, a sense of reward, attention and learning. Ultimately, the more you grow and pay attention to YOUR STRENGTHS, your body responds positively.

Additionally, I recommend the Keirsey Personality Test (www.keirsey.com). Shorter versions of the test can be found by searching Myers Briggs (aka Keirsey).

Find what you're good at and GROW it!