Discovering Your Strengths
By Linda Holub
If someone were to ask you what are you good at, would you be able to
give an answer? Would it feel like bragging to give an answer? I have
found that it is uncomfortable for most people to admit they are good at
something when asked that question. We have all been lectured about the
sin of pride and being conceited since childhood. Unfortunately, it often has
had the opposite effect of undervaluing our strengths. Just so you know, it is
not prideful to know and let others know what you are good at. It is a
positive, self-affirming experience to be able to admit our strengths.
Too often people are clueless to what their strengths are. We take it for
granted if something is easy for us that it must also be easy for others. That
is just not true. A key to your strengths is something that you are good at,
something that is easy for you but hard for someone else. I have a good
memory for telephone numbers, but my husband can’t remember his best
friend’s phone number. On the other hand, my husband has a lot of patience
with mechanical things and I have none.
Another way to discover your strengths is to ask yourself, “what draws
me like a magnet?” Often our yearnings or strong inclinations show up in
childhood and they have a strong pull on us almost like a magnet. Some
1
people are drawn to competitive sports, while others are drawn to planting
and designing gardens. I am drawn to community organizations whose
vision or cause is one of my core values.
A strength can be defined by what brings you great satisfaction. The
brain creates good feelings when you are doing something in your strength
zone. For instance, I am a great project person. If I buy into the cause, I can
work tirelessly toward a goal. However, I hate tedious, detailed work. It is
an effort. One other key to a strength is that which you do effortlessly. Can
you do this thing for hours at a time while it seems like minutes?
Strengths don’t just deal with talents and abilities, but with behaviors
that come naturally to you, such as, being organized in your thinking and in
your behavior. I am a very disciplined person, but I don’t think in an
organized way nor do I behave necessarily in an organized way. Just check
the inside of my desk. Neither is better than the other, but the way we
operate is a strength unique to us.
Most people look to obvious talents, such as, a great voice, great physical
ability, artistic ability, a great mathematician or a great mind for science.
Did you know that emotional intelligence (EQ) is just as valuable as the
traditional IQ? In today’s business culture, EQ is more highly valued than
IQ . You can be brilliant but not be able to relate to people. That is an acute
2
handicap unless you have a business where you don’t come in contact with
people. So give yourself value if you are a people person. Being able to
connect to people is a huge plus in any area of life but especially in business.
Discovering your strengths will be an enormous help to you as you
decide to change jobs, decide on a college major, choosing an avocation or if
you are looking to experience a more meaningful, purposeful life.
3