What are the best things about you? What are your strengths?
Do you know?
 
Most of us can come up with a long list of things we need to improve upon, but when asked about our strengths, we usually have to think a lot harder. And even when we can identify our strengths, we typically don't use them on a daily basis.
 
In fact, according to a study conducted by the Gallup Organization, only 20% of people believe they have the opportunity to use their strengths at work every day. If only 20% of the population is doing the things they are good at every day, what about the other 80%? Are they focusing on areas of mediocrity? Things that bore them? Weaknesses?
 
And why does it matter?
It matters because when we focus on what we do well, we can truly reach our potential. Social psychologists have found that focusing on strengths leads to greater productivity, increased performance, and higher satisfaction. In fact, weaknesses can seem almost irrelevant when strengths are fully leveraged.
 
What is a strength?
In their groundbreaking 1992 book Soar with Your Strengths (Dell Publishing), authors Donald O. Clifton and Paula Nelson define strengths on two levels: "At a rudimentary level, strengths are the things you do well, such as selling, developing others, shooting a basketball, being patient with second graders, or having a green thumb. On a more sophisticated level, a strength is a pattern of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that produces a high degree of satisfaction and pride; generates both emotional and/or financial reward; and presents measurable progress toward excellence."
 
In other words, this second definition of strength has more to do with motivation and desire than any specific skill. This definition enlarges the first one and includes strengths such as optimism, discipline, courage or the capacity to love others.
 
Are you using your strengths every day? If not, here's what you can do to begin leveraging your strengths, both at work and elsewhere:

Identify your strengths
There are a number of ways to do this, but I believe a thorough self-assessment is the first step. Give yourself 30 minutes to answer the questions: "What are my gifts?" "What do I do especially well, and feel happy doing?"
 
Once you have written your own inventory, get input from others. Ask a few trusted people who know you well, such as co-workers, close friends and family members, how they view your key strengths. In my work as a development coach, I frequently ask my clients to self-assess then gather feedback about their strengths from several colleagues at varying levels. They find the conversations to be both eye-opening and affirming.
 
You may also want to supplement your self-assessment and feedback interviews with a formal strengths tool. A terrific instrument for identifying your strengths is the Strengths Finder, an online strengths assessment made available by purchasing Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton's book Now Discover Your Strengths, or the supplemental book, Strengths Finder, which includes an updated version of the tool. Another great strengths inventory, VIA Signature Strengths, is available through www.authentichappiness.com, and is free of charge.
 
Decide which strengths to focus on
Once you're clear about your key strengths, ask yourself the following questions: 

Over the next month, take the time to explore your strengths and determine where you want your focus to be. Next month, in Part II of "Focus on Your Strengths," I will share strategies for leveraging and developing your key strengths.
 
Have a great month! ~ Kathy