5 Ways to Harness the Power of Your Strengths

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If you have ever had a job interview, you have likely been asked what your strengths are. It’s a common question, yet many people have a hard time identifying and acknowledging their strengths because it’s often easier for them to focus on their flaws instead.

Have you ever wondered why the negative experiences you’ve had tend to stick around in your mind more than the positive ones that occur? This is due to the brain’s negativity bias, which is hardwired to focus on the negative experiences or feedback you’ve received in the past. The negativity bias plays a significant role in shaping your inner critic. Children often absorb their peers’ and caregivers’ feedback about them like a sponge without having the capacity yet to evaluate whether the feedback is actually applicable to them. As a result, these negative messages become internalized and can prevent people from recognizing and utilizing their strengths later in life.

The things that make you unique are often your strengths. These strengths provide key insights into your personality and are reflective of who you are at your core. Consequently, not being able to access your strengths may cause you to feel disconnected from yourself. Being able to identify and utilize your strengths can help you thrive by increasing your resilience, strengthening your relationships, and honing your ability to navigate challenging situations. Despite all these benefits, research shows that only one-third of people are actually aware of their strengths.

If you’re one of those people, the good news is that you can counteract your inner critic and tap into your strengths with intentional practice. Below are five ways you can identify your strengths and use them to help you thrive:

1. Identify your signature strengths. Take a scientifically validated online assessment of your character strengths. Once you have taken the assessment, brainstorm different ways that you can use your core strengths throughout the week, then document your experience each time you use strength in a new way.

2. Reflect on feedback you’ve received from others about your strengths. Think back to times in the past when others provided you with positive feedback about your strengths. Try not to refute the feedback or explain it away, but rather just sit with it for a few minutes and then write out what the positive feedback was.

Also, consider asking some trusted colleagues, friends, or family what strengths they see in you and why they see these strengths in you, then adding them to the list of feedback you’ve received about your strengths.

3. Identify times you’ve used your strengths in the past. Reflect about times in the past when you may have exhibited your signature strengths, such as humor, creativity, or other strengths, and write out these examples in a journal. Next, reflect on how these strengths have served you in different areas of your life and how it would impact your life if you weren’t able to use your signature strengths.

4. Use a strengths jar. Anytime you notice that you have used one of your strengths or someone provides feedback about a strength of yours, write down what strength was used or commented on and put it in the jar. Once every few weeks or during times when you are feeling self-doubt, set aside some time to review what you have written.

5. Engage in new activities and hobbies that test your strengths. Getting out of your comfort zone and trying new activities, hobbies, or classes can help you get in touch with new strengths, and what you find may surprise you. Contrary to what you may think, being good at the activity or hobby you try is not needed to get in touch with your strengths. For example, if you decide to try rollerblading for the first time and fall repeatedly, you may discover that humor or perseverance is a strength of yours as you go through the experience. Journal about your experiences and identify any strengths that you used or discovered during the process.