What you are excellent at are your own strengths. Strategies To Leverage Yourself demands doing more of what you are excellent at to obtain more of what you wish for. The complicated aspects are how to utilize them, what they are, how much more there is, and what you genuinely want.
Let’s start with your strengths: You could consider yourself a decent cook. Or that you’re a terrific writer. Or that you’re talented at telling inspirational stories or making new dishes.
You may be good at being determined or keeping a positive attitude in times of crisis. You may be adept at playing an instrument, learning new things, or being reliable. There are basically infinite things you could tell you’re good at.
How can we make sense of all this potential? We’ll go into more detail later, but first, let’s be clear about what personal strengths aren’t: they’re not your actual passion, and they’re not something you want to be or have.
Personal strengths are right in front of you. They can be demonstrated, which implies that when you exhibit them, you can point to proof that you did so.
Some To Leverage Your Strengths
1. Find Out What You’re Good At
Begin with your present talents. It is more beneficial to begin in the present. I’ve encountered folks who claim, “I’m not good at anything,” but they’re usually comparing themselves to where they want to be rather than where they are now.
You may not like where you are and wish you were somewhere else, but the simple reality is that you are where you are. You can only build where you are.
Therefore, the first step in the journey is to immerse yourself in the present moment. Take a deep breath, notice yourself getting dressed and putting your feet on your shoes, and evaluate what you’re particularly good at.
If you need help, search for “Skills Inventory” on Google. There are approximately 15 million sites that can provide checklist after checklist. List 5-10 skills that you currently possess.
Once you have identified your current talent, take the time to identify the talent you need for your current position. You can circle or highlight that talent. It is the best method for Strategies To Leverage Yourself.
2. Determine Your Soft Skills
Recognizing your soft skills is a vital part of the Strategies to Leverage Yourself. Soft skills are personal characteristics that help you interact effectively and happily with others.
In summary, they are the abilities you possess but cannot necessarily measure. This is your EQ (Emotional Intelligence), not your IQ. Here are some examples of soft skills:
- Having a high sense of self-awareness.
- Being upbeat.
- Being resilient.
- Having patience and being a good listener.
- Being Empathetic.
- Being confident.
These soft skills will be like weapons to your arsenal. But to use those, you need to be aware of them first.
3. Convince Yourself
Convincing yourself about your strengths & soft skills is the answer to How to Leverage Your Strengths. If you don’t feel these things are strengths, they won’t be of any use to you.
You must persuade yourself that they are genuine personal strengths. What evidence do you have that you’re an excellent writer, listener, or public speaker?
Pretend you’re at a job interview to find proof quickly. What proof do you have that you can write?
- I’ve been writing for three highly successful blogs for over a year.
- I’ve taken numerous creative writing classes in college.
- I’m presently working on a novel.
- I’ve authored four pieces for various periodicals.
Take some time to validate all of your recognized strengths.
4. Define What Works For You
Determine how you can put your strengths to use. Consider your present employment, social circumstances, income, and every other element of your life. How can you use your abilities to improve your life? Are you in the right job to make the most of your skills? It may be time to think about changing careers.
Do your hobbies make use of your skills? You could make a side business out of your interest. Could your strengths be leveraged to establish a better social network, which in turn can assist in marketing your abilities and make people aware of your greatness?
5. Get Rid of Limiting Beliefs
One of the Strategies To Leverage Yourself is to get rid of all negativities & limiting beliefs within yourself. If you keep thinking you are not good at or will never be good at some particular job, you will never be. Instead of thinking ‘I am not good at that,’ try to think, “I will give my best shot & try to improve.”
These limiting beliefs stop us from moving forward in our lives & exploring the full potential of ourselves. To learn to swim, you need to get into the pool first.
While you were learning to ride a cycle, you must have fallen quite a few times and had some injuries. But those didn’t stop you. Now, you rule the road with your Harley-Davidson. If you have done it earlier, you can do it again.
6. Create A Plan
Make a plan to capitalize on your abilities. It’s fine to start modestly, but don’t undersell yourself. Maximizing your strengths will get you to the top. Set objectives and look into hobbies or jobs that will allow you to capitalize on your talents.
Make a strategy to utilize your abilities in at least three significant areas of your life. Be aggressive in your long-term view. It is the best method for Strategies To Leverage Yourself.
7. Keep Brushing Your Strengths
Constantly polishing your skills & strengths is the answer to How to Leverage Your Strengths. Having soft skills & strengths is fine, but if you don’t keep polishing them, they will lose their sharpness. You will start forgetting how to use them after a particular point in time. That is a disastrous loss.
What do you think would have happened to Arnold Schwarzenegger if he had left the gym after getting that six-pack & envious physique?
After a few years, he would look like the character played by Brendan Fraser in the movie ‘ The Whale.’ But our ‘Governator’ still hits the gym regularly despite being 76 & as a result, he can still give many young bodybuilders a run for money.
8. Build New Skills
Continue to improve your talents and skills. Never stop working on your weaknesses. By focusing your efforts on improving yourself in an area where you already excel, you position yourself for a competitive edge. Remember to analyze your strengths constantly. Every year, quarterly, or even monthly.
Over time, you will gain additional abilities. Maintain a constant process of self-development and evaluation. Include an aim to better develop your strongest abilities in your strategy.
- What resources do you have?
- Are there any books or workshops that can help?
- Could you locate a mentor or coach?
Your strengths are unique to you, and the manner in which you use them may be as well. Make the most of your inherent and learned abilities to maximize your life. When you use your strengths on a daily basis, the entire world benefits. Make a strategy to capitalize on your skills.
Books About How To Leverage Your Strengths
Books can be a source of anything: joy, information, inspiration, you name it. Some books can help you to provide Strategies to Leverage Yourself. Here are some of the books of that nature:
- Leverage Your Strengths: Uncover Your Hidden Assets To Help You Be Successful Faster! by Jodi Henson.
- Leverage Your Strengths by Stu Schlackman.
- Leverage Your Best Ditch The Rest by Madeleine Homan and Scott Blanchard.
- Leading From Your Strengths 2: Building Intimacy In Your Small Group by Eric Tooker. John Trent and Rodney Cox.
- Go Put Your Strengths to Work: 6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance, by Marcus Buckingham.
- Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Gallup.
- So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love, by Cal Newport.
- StrengthsFinder 2.0, by Tom Rath.
- The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality, by Ryan Niemiec and Robert McGrath.
- 30 Days of Character Strengths: A Guided Practice to Ignite Your Best, by Jane Anderson.
FAQs
Q: Why is it vital to leverage yourself?
A: For personal development, career growth, prosperity & happiness, one must leverage him/herself.
Q: What do I do if I am unsure about my strengths?
A: You must have some ideas about your strengths. There are many ways to discover your strengths & weaknesses. For instance, you can try careful reflection or ask someone trusted.
Q: How do I leverage myself in the workplace?
A: You should identify your strengths first and figure out how to use them in your professional field.
