Focused Strengths

Marilyn vos Savant said, "Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by  elimination our weakness." Have we noticed somethings that require little effort for us to do? Weather we know it or not, our strengths are within us. Our strengths might be a good skill or talent that we have but they are raw until we focus on developing them. Once developed we will be positioned to acheive a higher level of success in our lives. Let's focus on three areas that will help us maximize our strengths.

3 Focused Strengths

1. Concentration – It’s easy to loose focus on our strengths when all we can see is the big picture. To become stronger we must focus on where we need to be for the present moment. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Concentration is secret of strength." Strength is increased when we are able to concentrate our best energy into the area that needs it most.

What are you focusing on at school or work? Are you concentrating on the problems and what you can't do? Start looking and improving in the areas that you enjoy and are strong in. Putting your focus here will drive you to have a clearer purpose for short term successes. Once short term successes are reached within your strong areas you will find new reasons to push for a bigger goal.

2. Statements – Our thoughts push us towards or away from our goals. Writing our thoughts helps us focus on what we desire to acheive. To help build our strengths, writing them down is fundamental to our success. One writer calls this process “strength statements". These are one sentence statements that capture the essence of our strengths. They are meant to encourage and keep us focused on building our strengths. 

Here are a few openers to help you start: "I am strongest when I am fixing or doing...."; or "I am strongest when I am listening or helping others...." Remember your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, actions become habits, habits become values, and your values become your destiny (Gandhi). Use "strength statements" to help you focus your thoughts so that your destiny will be awesome!

3. Routine – If we are sporadic when it comes to working on our strengths, we probably won't see much change. We must focus on consistently doing what we are good at. Success comes from a routine that produces the results desired. John Maxwell said it this way, "We will never change our lives until we change something we do daily. The secret of our success is in the daily routines."

Look for people and places to help you consistently develop your strengths. Activities that leave you feeling confident, energized, and eager to do it again. Being able to do something easily doesn't mean you are the best at it. Invest in your strengths by constantly working towards your goals - Participate in or watch workshops and conferences in the area that you desire to be stronger. Read books and blogs that deal with your area of interest. Learn all you can to become the master of your strength through routine.

John Maxwell says that you should focus 70% of your daily energy on your strengths.  Learn to work in your strength zone constantly by concentrating your attention, writing "strength statements" and developing a good routine. When your strengths are maximized you will be on a level of success.

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