What do you do when you come to a place in your life where you know it’s time to pivot or make an important decision? Knowing how you show up can make a huge difference.
When you feel comfortable with your uniqueness, it clarifies how you express, create, write and live through these strengths. You’ll be able to flow far better when what you do springs from who you are and what you know.
Brainstorm and write down as many characteristics of yourself that you can think of right now.
- Energetic?
- Kind?
- Creative?
- Wise?
- Grateful?
- Purposeful?
Write them all down. Fill up a page if you choose.
It’s amazing how your energy rises when you sift through a list of your own character strengths. As you feel more comfortable reading through your choices, select the top three you believe are showing up in your life.
Using three circles, put your top strength in each circle. Explore what each strength says to you about yourself. Where the three circles intersect, list all three strengths as a reminder of who you are and what you know.
I first did a version of this exercise with writer Martha Beck in a writing class a few years ago. I’m still using the words I unearthed to describe myself: gritty, intense, believer. They are at the core of my work as a life coach/podcaster/writer and they round out how I relate to others wherever I am.
Once you discover your three top strengths, and own these words for yourself, share them.
As you consider your next significant decision, what do these words say to you about what you want to do next? Thinking from the perspective of any of these strengths can shift your attitude and influence your behavior and responses. This is where change begins.
Using your three strengths, move forward as they illuminate who you are and what you know. Things are a lot clearer in this light.
You’ve got this.