Understanding your strengths is essential for personal growth, career success, and self-confidence. But discovering your true strengths isn’t always easy. Here are six straightforward questions to ask yourself to help reveal your natural talents and abilities. Let’s get started!
1. What Are Your Top 3 Qualities or Strengths?
Think about the three qualities or skills you believe define you. These are the strengths that you naturally excel at and feel confident about. For example, maybe you’re great at solving problems, or perhaps you have a knack for bringing people together. Listing these qualities can help you focus on what you’re already good at.
Why This Works:
- Helps you identify core strengths.
- Builds self-awareness and confidence.
- Sets a foundation for discovering related strengths.
Tip: Write down each quality and think of specific examples when you’ve used these strengths.
2. What Do You Do Every Day?
Look at your daily activities. Often, we spend time doing things we’re naturally good at without even noticing. Are you organizing tasks, helping others, or finding creative solutions? Pay attention to these routine activities—they often point toward your strengths.
Why It Matters:
- Reveals strengths hidden in everyday routines.
- Highlights skills you practice regularly.
- Shows what comes naturally to you.
Tip: Track your daily tasks for a week, then review to spot patterns in what you enjoy or excel at.
3. What Do Other People Think You Do?
Ask friends, family, or coworkers what they think your strengths are. Sometimes, others notice things about us that we may overlook. Getting this outside perspective can help you understand how others see your talents and what they appreciate about you.
Why This Helps:
- Provides an unbiased view of your abilities.
- Uncovers strengths you may not realize you have.
- Shows how your strengths impact those around you.
Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask direct questions like, “What do you think I’m really good at?” or “What do you think I do best?”
4. What Do Other People Say About You?
Think back to compliments or positive feedback you’ve received. Have people consistently praised you for a specific skill? Maybe you’re known for being dependable, creative, or a great listener. Feedback from others can be a reliable guide to discovering your strengths.
Why This Works:
- Highlights strengths consistently noticed by others.
- Reinforces skills or qualities you may doubt.
- Helps validate your abilities.
Tip: Keep a journal of positive feedback you receive. Over time, you’ll see a pattern in what others appreciate most about you.
5. What Do You Like to Talk About?
Consider the topics that excite you. Do you enjoy talking about leadership, new ideas, or ways to solve problems? Passion often aligns with strengths, as we’re naturally drawn to things we’re good at and enjoy discussing.
Why This is Effective:
- Shows your genuine interests and passions.
- Reveals areas where you may have strong knowledge or skill.
- Helps identify topics or fields where you can excel.
Tip: Make a note of your favorite subjects and think about how they connect to your strengths.
6. What is the One Mistake You Keep Repeating?
This may seem counterintuitive, but examining your recurring mistakes can also reveal strengths. For example, if you’re always volunteering to lead projects and end up overwhelmed, it might mean you’re naturally inclined to lead but need to work on delegating. Identifying patterns in your mistakes can help you harness these strengths in a healthier way.
Why This Approach Works:
- Turns mistakes into learning opportunities.
- Shows strengths you may need to refine or manage.
- Helps you grow by understanding both strengths and limits.
Tip: Reflect on past mistakes and look for a common theme. Ask yourself, “What strength can I take from this?”
Resources
Here are some tools and resources to further explore and develop your strengths:
- Gallup StrengthsFinder – Strengths assessment tool
- VIA Character Strengths – Free character strengths test
- MindTools – Articles and resources for personal development
- BetterUp – Coaching for personal and professional growth
Discovering your strengths is a journey of self-awareness and growth. By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be able to uncover what you’re naturally good at and use it to your advantage. Start applying these insights in your daily life, and watch how focusing on your strengths can open new opportunities and bring you greater satisfaction.
Ross Stretch
