“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” – George Sheehan
Each of us has a unique combination of gifts, talents and abilities. These inner strengths are as different and varied as we are. They are part of the complex makeup that makes each of us special. Do you know what strengths are? Not your strengths, in particular, just strengths in general? Too many people think of strengths as something someone is just naturally good at. That definition, though, is too simplistic. While your strengths are instinctive, they’re also things you work on, hone and perfect. When you function, or perform in your strengths, you feel like you’re in your element.
Knowing your strengths and using them to the best of your ability benefits you, but it also benefits the world around you. When others see you at your best, it encourages them to do and be their best as well. Knowing your strength means embracing and showcasing the best part of yourself, while maintaining a proper perspective. Your gifts and talents may be intrinsic to you, but they should not be kept to yourself. We set the best example when we know our own strengths and when we can recognize and encourage strengths in others.
The beauty of knowing your own strengths is in accepting that it doesn’t mean never failing. Instead, it means never quitting as your hone your skills and gifts. Knowing your strengths is fulfilling without being arrogant. It’s feeling confident without being egotistical. Leading and operating from your strengths allows you to invest fully in yourself which allows you to empower and encourage others.
Happy, successful people – and everyone defines success differently – all have one important thing in common. They know their strengths, sharpen them, and learn to be a blessing to others by doing what they do best, and staying true to themselves.