By Coach Meg
Wellcoaches Corp.
Listen to the 50 minute coaching session here:
Segment 1Segment 2While reflecting on our coaching session, Leslee described how much her search for strengths had impacted her. By asking just 1 person, she was able to name 2 strengths of which she had been previously unaware. She was beginning to see herself through a new, more positive lens.
How Can You Identify Your Strengths?1. Self Reflection - Begin by creating a list of your greatest strengths - "5 Things I Like About Me," for example. Then, expand your awareness by making it a daily practice. Each evening, make a list of what you did well that day. This approach tends to have a "tipping point," or a point at which we naturally begin to see our strengths first, rather than focusing on our weaknesses.
2. Survey Others - Leslee opted to begin her journey by asking her son to name her strengths. Asking someone that you respect and trust is great way to gather data. You can ask them to simply make a list of your greatest strengths, or ask a series of open-ended questions such as "When have you seen me at my best?" or "What do my unique talents contribute to the world?"
3. Assessment Tools - If you prefer more structure, there are 2 excellent and well-researched assessment resources. From the Gallup organization, the book
Now Discover Your Strengths helps readers identify their talents and build them into strengths. Readers are given access to the StrengthsFinder web site where they can identify their profile and can then learn more in the book.
Another resource is the VIA Strengths Signature Questionnaire. From the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center, this easy-to-use survey measures 24 character strengths. Identifying strengths is a powerful way to increase the self-confidence needed to propel you toward your best self. Another way is to apply lessons learned from one area of life to another area.
Stayed tuned, the learning continues next week.
To download an mp3 version of this 50 minute coaching session, click here:
Segment 1Segment 2