How to Discover Your Strengths (in less than five minutes)

Do you want to make a difference in the world but question your credibility?

Below, I'll show you how to discover your unique strengths in less than five minutes:

Last week, two elements of my life's story created a space of profound relatability with another person which allowed me to initiate radical healing in their life.

Reflecting on these conversations, I never believed that either experience would make a difference in someone's life.

During active addiction, I was beaten, tied up, and almost killed by a schizophrenic with multiple personalities.  Serendipitously, the opportunity to recount my ordeal created a space of ease for another person who had experienced something similar and they released an enormous amount of shame.  

A few days later, an anxious potential client's energy immediately shifted once I mentioned that I, too, grew up with an abusive father in the military. The bond formed as a result of shared experience is priceless.

A common theme among people who reach out to me for coaching is the feeling of being insignificant.

Why bother? Who is listening? Who cares?

When delving a layer deeper I typically find these same people are comparing themselves to others on social media or reality television.

The measure of significance they are using is skewed.

But I get it.

One short scroll on social media for me and I see all of the other accounts out there with more views, engagement, and followers.  I'll think Wow, they are really making an impact.

But then I remember that comparison is a thief and a liar.  Do not allow comparison to rob the world of your story’s value.

You see…

I’ve always felt the call to help others but allowed shame to hold me back.

That all changed when a friend shared a simple exercise with me that unlocked my self-confidence.

Through that experience, I launched my own coaching business.

Now I make money AND a difference...

Your Mess, Your Message.

In my mid-forties, I could look back on my life and perceive it as a long road of mishaps, messiness, and mistakes.

And I did until I accepted that everything was happening FOR me, not TO me.

My life experiences were weaving together an individualized story to be used to make a difference in the lives of others.  

I realized that I had been broken in order to heal.  I healed in order to help others. I help others in order to leave a legacy in the world.  

But, I still remained frozen by shameful voices in my head:

No one is going to take you seriously.

You have no credentials.

You aren’t intelligent, articulate, or polished enough.

And the list goes on and on.

But I realized…

The brokenness of my past isn't a list of reasons why I can’t, it is a RESUME of all the reasons why I CAN (and SHOULD!)

Here’s the exercise my friend shared with me that shifted my perspective:

Discovering Your Strengths.

Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper.

On the right, list every milestone from your life: marriage, kids, graduation, job, sickness, divorce, etc.

On the other side, list the main characteristic that got you through that particular situation, or what strength you gained from the experience.

Now you have a list, with evidence, of your natural strengths and character traits.

For instance…

If one side of the paper listed having children, maybe the corresponding characteristic is resilience.

You’re living proof of resilience.    

With this newfound knowledge, you not only understand your own strengths, which contribute to self-confidence but you are able to help someone else who wants to be more resilient!  

Someone out there NEEDS you.  

We Need You.

Now that you have a list of your attributes, you know exactly what you have to offer.

And you know exactly who you can help.

Think about this: wherever you are in your journey, there are many people out there who are 1, 2, or 3 steps behind you.

When you were there, who helped you?

Wouldn’t you have valued the counsel of someone who had faced similar life experiences?

What advice would you give yourself 3 to 5 years ago? Whatever it is, that is wisdom and healing for someone else.

The world needs your individual story. The longer you wait, the longer people remain lost or hurt.

You are significant.  You have a legacy to leave.

It is time to stop listening to that voice saying you have nothing of worth to offer.

Once I anchored into my proven record, I took the leap and found there were hundreds of people who needed my expertise. And they even pay me to help them.  

You’ve lived a rich life, and now it is time to help others improve theirs.

Dallas

I am an intuitive life coach specializing in helping you break free from unwanted patterns in your personal and professional life.  I write about personal development, leadership, and sobriety.  

For a free coaching session, email [email protected].

Are you easily triggered and want to know why?  Download my free Quick Guide for Overwriting Limiting Beliefs HERE.