In last week’s post I wrote about our tendency to focus on deficit-fixing, and to challenge that narrative I asked you to consider: “What is something that’s always come naturally to you, where time flowed because you felt so engaged?”

Maybe it’s a sport you played, a musical or artistic talent, being told by everyone in your life you’re a great listener, your love of reading, or the courses you loved and excelled in?

Now with your “something” in mind, sign your signature on a piece of paper with your dominant hand.

Comes naturally and don’t really have to think about it, right? Both your “something” and signature are examples of what the Gallup Organization would call “a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling or behavior that can be productively applied.” Both are also examples of things within you that are wired and innate. Over time as you’ve invested in and applied these talents, they’ve turn into strengths.

Now, sign your signature with the other hand.

Hard to do, takes effort and feels completely awkward. This non-dominant signature is like the things you’ve always struggled with, that don’t come naturally to you, that you leave until the last minute or given the option would rather not do at all.

This brings me to Gallup’s CliftonStrengths Assessment. Based in positive psychology, CliftonStrengths is an amazing tool that helps us describe what is best about ourselves, and gives us the language to communicate this to the people in our lives, our work, through cover letters and resumes, in interviews and on the teams we’re part of. At the end of a series of questions, you receive either a personalized “Top 5” report or “Full 34” report.

Learning your CliftonStrengths is also a way to create or strengthen your mindset from a deficit-focus to a focus on your talents and what makes you stand out. Within the context of both personal and career development, knowing your Strengths is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Learn more about discovering your Strengths here.

If you’re interested in taking your CliftonStrengths Assessment, meeting virtually to interpret your results and explore using your Strengths more deeply, I’d love to work with you. Read more about my coaching philosophy here.