Know Your Strengths

Our quote of the day yesterday focused on really thinking about what your goals are, and making them personal to you. I thought this article was a great follow-up, because it helps you to think about the strengths you have that will help you achieve those goals you set. Today's article comes from business coach Tom Kelly.

Have you ever wondered what you are really good at? Would it be helpful for you to be able to understand what your true strengths are as a person, and be able to not only articulate what they are, but also be able to align your career and daily actions around what you are naturally good at? Over the last eight years, I have worked with hundreds of business owners, sales people, entrepreneurs, and business leaders that either didn't know what they were good at, or had a hard time articulating it. Here is an easy way to identify what you are good at, and, once you have the information, what to do with it:

Take The Strengthsfinder
There is a great book called, "Strengthsfinder 2.0" by Tom Rath. In the book, there is an assessment that you can take online that will identify your top 5 strengths, in order, and provide you with an explanation of what each one of them means. I recommend that you pick up a copy of the book and take the assessment. You can learn more about it here - www.strengthsfinder.com. It may change your life!

Assess How Often You Are Currently Using Your Strengths
Your strengths are things that you are naturally good at - things that come easy to you. Knowing your strengths allows you to identify how often you are using them in your day-to-day career and life, and then you can adjust accordingly. Ask yourself the question, "am I really using my talents a majority of the time?" If not, you will increase your success and overall happiness if you align yourself more with what you are naturally good at.

Take Action!
If you aren't currently using your natural strengths and talents, then you have a great opportunity to re-align yourself around them. Perhaps it's time to take a different career path, or change what you are spending your time on to things that are more in alignment with who you are. This may sound simple, however, transitions can be a challenge sometimes. If you need assistance here, working with a good coach or professional can help you. Also, surrounding yourself with great people to support you can be of help. Creating a supportive environment around you will make your transition much easier.

Have Fun!
Once you have aligned yourself around your true strengths, I'm confident that you will find things are much easier for you. Think Michael Jordan playing baseball vs. playing basketball. Big difference, right? You too can experience more success by being true to who you are.

Tom Kelly is a Professional Business Coach that specializes in working with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and salespeople. He can be reached at (773) 907-0921, or at www.businesscoachchicago.com.