There could be affiliate hyperlinks on this web page, which suggests we get a small fee of something you purchase. As an Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your personal analysis earlier than making any on-line buy.
I’ve taken two profession aptitude exams in my life.
I took one among them about seven years in the past, which mentioned I must be an anthropologist.
Like, fossils and stuff?
I took the second about three months in the past. It seems the primary take a look at was legitimate–this one additionally mentioned I must be an anthropologist.
I did take an introductory course to anthropology in school to satisfy a credit score. However I bear in mind dreading the category as a result of it was so boring and I had completely little interest in the subject material.
So how on the earth can my solutions to those profession aptitude exams consequence on this conclusion? I can hardly sit by a 50-minute lecture on the subject, a lot much less dedicate my life to it!
I’ve now spent 14 years within the skilled area– 9 years in advertising and marketing and 5 years in social work. Am I supposed to start out over?
After doing some research, it seems the reply to that’s no. I’m truly already heading in the right direction with my profession.
How?
As a result of whereas these exams do provide you with one reply to the query, “What ought to my profession be?” You need to actually be specializing in the why of the consequence the take a look at provides you.
When taking these exams, lots of people are searching for a short-cut to search out the right profession by which they may naturally excel and uncover their ardour.
And, sure, these exams can provide concepts of potential careers that may align along with your strengths–however that’s what the take a look at is measuring–your strengths.
It’s not all the time informative about what it’s best to do, however after studying a job description, you’ll possible perceive why you had been matched with the career.
The outcomes of those exams can get you to think about how your strengths align with a sure profession path and the place within the skilled world your expertise are valued.
All this to say, that you must know what your strengths are to precisely match them along with your life’s objective and long-term objectives.
On this article, we’re going to take a look at 5 steps you’ll be able to take to assist discover your strengths in life, which will definitely allow you to right your path in case you really feel like your on a regular basis duties are constantly a wrestle to finish.
However first, let’s take a fast take a look at why it’s necessary to know your strengths.
Why Do You Have to Know Your Strengths?
Understanding your strengths means you’ll be able to determine how one can uniquely profit a crew and interact in actions that will let you really feel succesful, safe, and motivated.
Research have proven that the extra usually Individuals use their strengths on daily basis, the much less possible they’re to expertise damaging emotions akin to fear, anger, disappointment–and even bodily ache.
And, with 57% of Individuals reporting to not spend the majority of their days exercising their strengths, our inhabitants is lacking out on self-confidence, productiveness, and hope for the long run.
What’s extra, about two-thirds of American adults don’t know what their pure skills are. Understanding your strengths provides you a way of self-awareness that helps you respect private traits that you could be in any other case undervalue.
Take a couple of minutes to look at the video beneath to be taught in regards to the 5 self consciousness actions that can allow you to be extra self conscious and know your self higher.
When you already know your strengths, you’re much less prone to evaluate your self to others since you acknowledge that every particular person has one thing completely different to supply, so whereas one particular person could also be higher at doing one thing than you’re, you’re assured that you’ve traits that make you a worthwhile a part of a crew as nicely.
As soon as you already know your sturdy fits, you’ll be able to appropriately align your objectives, which will increase productiveness, motivation, success, and engagement, which is able to allow you to proceed to thrive.
Let’s check out 5 steps you’ll be able to take to search out your strengths in life.
5 Steps to Discover Your Strengths in Life
1. Take a Strengths Take a look at
Similar to there are profession aptitude exams you’ll be able to take, there are lots of assessments that may allow you to discover your strengths. These assessments are usually quantitative and are sometimes utilized by psychological well being professionals to judge somebody’s sturdy fits.
There are a rising variety of strengths exams, particularly given the benefit of accessibility with the web. However this additionally implies that it may be difficult to find out which strengths exams are dependable and legitimate–and due to this fact value your time. Listed here are a number of of the preferred choices:
Hopefully, this transient breakdown of three of the preferred strengths exams helps you determine a minimum of one which you’ll strive. But when none of those are convincing…
2. Take a Character Take a look at
16 Personalities is a free character take a look at that can allow you to find out how your character impacts your life.
Just like the strengths exams, you’ll reply on a seven-point Likert scale relying upon how a lot you conform to statements akin to, “Seeing different individuals cry can simply make you’re feeling such as you wish to cry too” and “At social occasions, you hardly ever attempt to introduce your self to new individuals and principally speak to those you already know.”
On the finish, your take a look at outcomes will reveal which one of many following 16 personalities your solutions symbolize probably the most:
Every of the 5 letters you’re given after finishing the take a look at (INTJ-A, ESTJ-T, and many others.) correlates to a sure trait, and every mixture represents one particular sort group.
Your outcomes can inform you how individuals who have a particular character sort generally behave–nevertheless, there’s not one measured character sort that positively acts in solely a sure method (i.e. there could be a large distinction between two iNTJs).
The data gathered on this take a look at is supposed to be a information that will help you perceive your self and doubtlessly evoke some sort of development.
3. Ask Folks
Ask for suggestions from the individuals that you just belief–your folks, household, co-workers, mentors, and many others. about what they suppose your strengths are.
Different individuals may acknowledge a few of your strengths that you just haven’t observed that you’ve. Maybe there’s something you’re good at doing that you just assume everybody is nice at doing so that you didn’t understand it was a power.
For instance, let’s say you’re an awesome author, however you’re employed in an business the place writing is a giant a part of your job and everybody you’re employed with is a gifted author.
Subsequently, you assume you’re a median author. However what you could not notice is that, when evaluating your expertise with a gaggle of on a regular basis individuals, you’re a improbable author. Others who don’t have this ability might be able to remind you of this.
It’s also possible to profit from an out of doors perspective as a result of many people consider our strengths strictly in “skilled” phrases. Chances are you’ll acknowledge you’re nice with time administration or prioritizing your duties–however don’t neglect that your strengths aren’t restricted to your profession.
A detailed good friend may observe that you just’re courageous or resilient, or they’ve all the time admired your capability to search out simply the proper factor to say when somebody is upset. These are issues that will not floor once you’re at work.
Asking different individuals about your strengths is a qualitative method you should utilize to find a few of your area of interest skills that don’t present up in a structured setting. Your family members might be able to determine some subjective strengths which can be solely displayed beneath particular circumstances.
Speaking to different individuals might find yourself stunning you once you be taught that one among your private qualities is outstanding.
Somebody might discuss with your dependability or generosity after recalling an incident the place you dropped what you had been doing to assist them in an emergency. Whereas this power is probably not highlighted on a median day, that doesn’t imply it’s not a major a part of who you’re.
4. Pay Consideration
Along with being attentive to what you take pleasure in doing, be conscious of instances through the day the place no matter activity you’re doing comes naturally to you. Each time this occurs, take into consideration the broad expertise that you just’re utilizing at the moment to finish no matter is at hand and spot any recurring themes.
And, with some pure expertise in any space, you’ll be able to develop your strengths in time. Being conversant in a few of your pure skills can assist you acknowledge the place you’re keen to work only a bit tougher to turn into an professional.
What issues do you do that you just end up having fun with the method and never simply the result?
For instance, in case you take pleasure in writing, you could discover that you’ve quite a lot of creativity, you’re good at being attentive to element, and you may talk in distinctive–but efficient–methods.
These are common strengths that can be utilized in any space of your life– each private {and professional}–so it might be useful to use these realized strengths to your different duties.
On this case, in case you’re inventive and have good consideration to element, you could discover that you just’re actually good at graphic design or one other sort of inventive work that requires a refined sense of creativeness that may additionally showcase these strengths. Understanding your strengths can assist you discover new actions that you just take pleasure in.
All through the day, additionally pay shut consideration to how lengthy it takes you to finish every factor in your to-do listing, which might clue you in on your ranges of focus and productiveness as nicely.
Assume again in your day to find out instances once you had been concentrating and engaged and search for widespread motivators in these conditions.
Then again, make an inventory of the duties that felt like they dragged on and on and depleted your vitality. Then you’ll be able to both attempt to keep away from being in these conditions or you’ll be able to work on these expertise. Both manner, you’ll know these actions aren’t the place your pure strengths lie.
5. Attempt New Issues
Wouldn’t it’s a waste in case your best power was doing one thing that you just hardly ever or by no means do? Gaining self-awareness about your strengths actually is dependent upon your life experiences, so that you must strive as many new duties, hobbies, and actions as you’ll be able to.
Search out alternatives for each private {and professional} improvement and be proactive in asking to work on issues which can be exterior of your typical ability set.
Take lessons, discover a interest, shadow your coworkers, be taught new expertise, and get entangled with new roles. Once more, you could be shocked on the strengths you uncover by taking dangers and attempting new issues.
And if there’s something you don’t like…cease. Or if somebody asks you to do one thing that doesn’t make the most of your strengths, politely decline.
In fact, there are some issues in life that it’s important to do, however don’t really feel responsible about stopping an elective activity or exercise. Take into consideration some stuff you wish to hand over proper now and create a plan to let these actions go.
Closing Ideas on Discovering Your Strengths in Life
After discovering your strengths, you could be inclined to push them apart, considering, “I’ve mastered that!” and transfer on to attempting to enhance your weaknesses.
However the fact is, whereas it’s good to work on bettering areas that would use some improvement, specializing in fine-tuning your strengths ought to all the time take precedence.
Make it a purpose to spend some high quality time on the duties and actions that you just do nicely. That is the place your potential lies, so that is the place your effort and time might be spent to provide nice outcomes for the long run.
And in case you’re searching for extra sources that will help you discover uncover your strengths and weaknesses, these articles may assist:
Lastly, if you wish to take your goal-setting efforts to the following stage, take a look at this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step course of that can allow you to set efficient SMART objectives.
Connie Mathers is knowledgeable editor and freelance author. She holds a Bachelor’s Diploma in Advertising and marketing and a Grasp’s Diploma in Social Work. When she shouldn’t be writing, Connie is both spending time together with her daughter and two canine, working, or working at her full-time job as a social employee in Richmond, VA.
