Exploit Your Strengths...

In a world filled with sound bites, re-tweets and a fixation on what happens in the lives of celebrities - It is no wonder why so many of us are lost. Lost in the sense that we don't spend enough time working on a "Master Plan." A master plan that is the blueprint for where we want to be and more importantly HOW WE PLAN TO GET THERE. Instead we pine for the lives of others we deem as rich and successful or spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars over a lifetime buying "winning" lottery tickets. I am a true believer in the school of thought that says when following your dreams sometimes you have to be flexible and maybe even take a few steps back to move several steps forward.....but I do not believe that anyone should steer you clear of what you whole-heartedly consider dream.

Being schooled in Jamaica (up until College) I can only speak to the way some of us were steered away from our dreams  there. There comes a time in high school when a student must choose the subjects he feels strongest in and the career path he wishes to pursue. There are two problems with this scenario:

1. At 14 years old you have no idea what you want to do with the rest of your life (usually) 
2. Your parents encourage you to be a lawyer, doctor or engineer (THE BIG 3).

Why? Because those jobs have the most prestige and seemingly the most financial reward. Hey, who can blame parents for wanting the best for their child? The problem is that many times the child is taking your advice and doing what you ask of him without you the parent  knowing what your child's strengths really are, compounded with the fact that the child doesn't know either. The result; A child who studies to be one of the BIG 3, who realizes way too "late" in life that he has no interest in becoming either one of them. What then?

The child (young adult by then) is now qualified to do all the things he isn't interested in and is forced to find a job where everyday he wakes up - he  works diligently on things that happen to be someone elses passion, not utilizing any of his strengths. The issue that arises in a situation like this is that the person who dedicates his life to do something he is not passionate about will most likely never excel or stand out. Look at it this way - suppose you took Usain Bolt (famous Jamaican Sprinter and now 3.11.12 - the fastest man on the planet) off the track when he was young and forced him to become one of the Big 3....Could he succeed as a lawyer, doctor or engineer? Quite possibly - but would he have the same passion and drive as he did or the track? probably not. See my point?

It is extremely important for each and every one of us to know our strengths and to exploit them to become the best we can be and extract the most from our short lives on Earth. Furthermore, if we have children - it is important to understand this concept and use this knowledge to help guide them down the path that fills their lives with joy and passion.

Now some of you may be thinking, wow, it's way too "late" for me (IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO PURSUE YOUR PASSION), and some of you may say even if all of this is true - how do I know for sure what my strengths are in the first place? Because you are my devoted readers and I love you as much as Michael Jackson loved to moon walk...I will let you in on a little secret that could possibly change your life and will -at a minimum- have you take a look at your current situation and have you figure out if you are in a place where you are utilizing your strengths to the fullest - instead of working on strengthening your weaknesses as most would want you to do (most corporations).

I was given a book many years ago that I skimmed through but didn't really digest fully in my youth. I have now revisited this book and ask that you take a look as well - It's called "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D.** In this book they break down the reasons why we should concentrate on our strengths and not our weaknesses as well as give you an online test that helps you discover or re-discover the distinguishing characteristics that make YOU stand out and more importantly - excel. I look forward to hearing your feedback on the book and how it has impacted your life as a result of applying some of their principles and concepts. I too have delved into the book and look forward to sharing my findings with you, my loyal readers. Until next time - take care of yourselves.

** I have no affiliation nor do I benefit directly or indirectly from the sale of the book mentioned in this piece.
















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