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Strengths Finder 2.0 – Part 5: Strategic

February 21, 2011

“The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large.”

This is another great strength that is a true fit for me. I spent the early part of my career as a media director, account executive, and event planner all wrapped up into one in a small ad agency. I loved being strategic. My events were organized and I thought through every detail and “what if.” I always want to be prepared for any scenario.

Even now, I see myself doing that in my personal life. I function best with a plan and a strategy. I offer this to the women I coach – a menu of various strategies to grow their business and guide them through this process learning about themselves in the process.

“Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead into straight resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion.” I don’t want to chase after something that doesn’t work. I give it my time and then take the positive from it and move on always thinking about the bigger picture.

I hope you have enjoyed my 5 Part Series about the book, Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. I highly recommend you getting a copy. It’s a lot of fun to take the test and see what your strengths truly are. I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you have gotten the book. I’d love to hear your results!

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Strengths Finder 2.0 – Part 4: Positivity

February 18, 2011

This was another spot on strength for me. Depending on how you’ve found me or how you know me, you know I’m all about gratitude and positive energy. I created the Gratitude Jewelry Collection over 4 years ago and have since created an online social community called The Gratitude Circle.

I truly believe in the power of positivity. I have learned to create a positive or an opportunity out of any challenge or seemingly negative situation.

“People want to be around you. Their world looks better around you because your enthusiasm is contagious.”

I choose to see the good in things and not focus on lack or negative. It has literally changed my life and brought more abundance to me.

“You celebrate every achievement. You find ways to make everything more exciting and more vital.”

As I coach women in business and help them grow their businesses, my job is to help to lift them up and raise them higher celebrating and honoring all of the achievements they have created with a positive spirit. It’s empowering – making them want to do more, be more, and reach higher than they ever thought possible.

I found this excerpt very interesting – “Don’t pretend that difficulties don’t concern you. Other people need to know that while you find the good in virtually every situation, you are not naïve. Recognize challenges, and communicate the reasons for your optimism. Your positive approach will be most powerful when others realize it is grounded in reality.”

I always say to people that everyone has issues; it’s just all in how we deal with them or perceive them. I’m not unrealistic, I know that I have challenges and unfortunate things happen in my life just like anyone else. I simply choose to look at them differently with a positive spin. It takes away much of the struggle and leads me through the process so much quicker.

Stay tuned for Part 5 – the last installment…

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Strengths Finder 2.0 – Part 3: Maximizer

February 17, 2011

“Excellence, not average, is your measure.”

One of my mentors says that we aren’t born to wake up and feel average and live mediocre. I want to feel my absolute best and do my absolute best. Now, I’m not unrealistic. I know that there will be average (and not so average) days and experiences, but I continuously raise the bar for myself striving.

I do the same with my clients, constantly raising the bar, helping them stretch and grow outside of their comfort zone, which can be tough to do on your own. I am that catalyst.

“Strengths, whether yours or someone else’s fascinate, you.” I was often bewildered by the old interview question, “What are your weaknesses?” Who the heck wants to talk about that? I know what mine are and see some in other people, but who wants to focus on the negative? It just seems silly to me.

Instead, strengths fascinate me and in my opinion, make up for the weakness or lack that we all have somewhere in us. I know where I fall short and try my best there, but focus on those things that I really rock at and make them better.

“You don’t want to spend your life bemoaning what you lack. Rather, you want to capitalize on the gifts with which you are blessed.” Another spot on assessment…Focusing on lack or negativity will only bring more of that to you. I instead focus on the positive, my gifts, and my gratitude.

Stay tuned for installment #4 tomorrow!

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Strengths Finder 2.0 – Part 2: Futuristic

February 16, 2011

“Wouldn’t it be great if… You are the kind of person who loves to peer over the horizon.”

I’m always looking ahead. Always dreaming. Always thinking about and working towards that BIG vision. I don’t feel stuck in the present. I appreciate the past, live in the moment, and always look for what is beyond and how I can make things better and live life to the fullest.

“A better product, a better team, a better life, or a better world – it will always be inspirational to you. You are a dreamer who sees visions of what could be.”

I am always thinking of a different way never ever buying in to this is ‘just the way it is.’ We all have the power to choose. We all have the power to create whatever we want for our future. How we want to feel…how we want to work…how we want to live…how we want to love…and on and on.

In the Ideas for Action section it says, “Choose roles in which you can contribute your ideas about the future. For example, you might excel in entrepreneurial or start-up situations.” I guess that’s why I love working with women in business to help them see the big picture. Helping to connect their heart and passion with that BIG vision bringing them even greater success, happiness and empowerment.

Stay tuned for Part 3 tomorrow!

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Strengths Finder 2.0 – Part 1: Activator

February 15, 2011

I lead a Mastermind Group of amazing and powerful women in business. We recently started a personal and business growth book series. The first book we chose was Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath.

I found this book to be very interesting and not like your traditional book. It starts with a code that is sealed at the back of the book. After you get your code, you head online and take the Strengths Finder 2.0 Assessment.

The assessment takes about a half an hour. It’s timed, so you have a limit of the amount of time you can spend on a question. There are 170+ questions. The goal is for you to go with your ‘gut’ and not overanalyze each one. I found some of them easy ‘no brainers’ while others I was more wishy washy on – it was a really interesting exercise.

I thought it would be fun to share with you my strengths as revealed by the assessment over the next few days.

My first strength was Activator. Here are some qualities of the activator. “When do we start? – This is a recurring question in your life. You are impatient for action.” – hmmmm, yep got that right! You believe “only action makes things happen and action leads to performance.”
Spot on again!

“As an activator you believe that action is the best device for learning. You make a decision, you take action, you look at the result, and you learn. You put yourself out there.” I’ve heard a lot of people say to me lately – ‘you’re everywhere and you really put yourself out there.’ Yes I do, because I believe that action is motion – I’m constantly thinking, what’s next? Where will this take me? How can I make this happen?

Check in for Part 2 tomorrow!

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