Seeing Red Cars: Clarify your strengths so you can leverage and use them daily. You will be happier!
A strengths assessment provides insight that will guide you
We’ve all heard “Play to your strengths.” It’s not new. It makes sense. Most people say, “Duh.”
The shocking reality is that only 20% of employees say they are using their strengths daily! This fact was proven by the Gallup organization through interviews conducted with more than 1.7 million employees from 101 companies in 63 countries.
Herein lies an opportunity for forward-thinking organizations. Hundreds of assessment tools exist that enable individuals to determine their greatest strengths (two I recommend are Now, Discover Your Strengths and StrengthsFinder 2.0). I recommend that you complete a strengths assessment, and if you’re a manager, have your employees complete an assessment. Once you clarify your strengths, leverage this knowledge to align yourself with the projects, people and initiatives that will allow you to bring the best you have to offer to the tasks at hand. Recognize that it takes work. The Latin core of the word passion means to suffer, thus you need to care about something enough to keep on going at those times when it might be easier to stop or be distracted by something else.
How do you recognize a strength? For starters, it comes easy for you. In fact, it probably comes so easy you take it for granted. We often overlook and underestimate the good that we can do when we are playing to our passions and strengths. It takes a lot less effort than other things, and it brings the best of ourselves to the project or challenge. It’s exactly what organizations need today.
When we are trying to be everything to everyone, it’s easy to end up down the path that keeps us busy and pays the bills but yields little satisfaction and drains us.
When you’re doing work that you’re passionate about, you lose track of time and you’re filled with energy. Look for times and activities in which you lost yourself. Reflect back on your life, even back to your youth. What were you passionate about, and what were you interested in? Knowing this is the place to start. If you don’t know it just yet, stick with it until it reveals itself to you. With the right determination, study, and conversation, you’ll figure it out.
You might feel that you already know your strengths, but I still encourage you to complete an assessment. It will provide insight that will guide you. Once you know your strengths, you can leverage them. You will be able to more easily and clearly articulate how your strengths will serve the project, your team, and the company. Everybody wins.
If you want to drive yourself, your team and your organization to a positive future, I am excited to offer the process and toolkit that can get you there. Check out the resources at seeingredcarsbook.com.
====================
What are your greatest passions, interests and strengths?
What types of jobs, projects and activities allow you to use these daily? How can you do more of those?
====================
Seeing Red Cars the book is available from popular retailers through our book website, seeingredcarsbook.com.
____________
Laura Goodrich
Innovator l Author l Expert Speaker
Radio l TV l Program Host
Internationally Recognized Expert in Workplace Dynamics and Change
Email: laura@onimpactproductions.com
Website: www.onimpactproductions.com
Business: 952-856-6071
SKYPE: laura.goodrich
OOVOO: Laura Goodrich
Author: Seeing Red Cars: Driving Yourself, Your Team and Your Organization to a Positive Future is available at Amazon http://amzn.to/aj0IUm or Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/c5F1j7
Seeing Red Cars — Mindset to Win — Forbes Magazine
http://blogs.forbes.com/mindmakeover/2011/02/03/seeing-red-cars-mindset-to-win/
Program Host and Author: Seeing Red Cars
Film: www.seeingredcars.com
Book: www.seeingredcarsbook.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall
App: Seeing Red Cars “I Want Statement” iPhone/ iPad http://bit.ly/afWHOx
Seeing Red Cars Products: http://bit.ly/cB29Tq
Program Host and Author: Shifting Years: Leverage the Power of Generations
Film: www.shiftingyears.com
FB Shifting Years: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162
Radio Host: FutureWork http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laura-goodrich
TV Host and Producer: Life to the Max http://www.lifetothemax.tv/about.html
Laura Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Goodrich/164266833612423?v=wall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lauragoodrich
Blog: http://lgoodrich.posterous.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/lauragoodrich
Seeing Red Cars FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall
Seeing Red Cars Book: Amazon ( http://amzn.to/aj0IUm ) or Barnes and Noble ( http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 .)
Shifting Years FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162?v=wall
Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/LauraGoodrich
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35914444@N07/


