What Are Your Strengths and Why You Should List Them

Focusing on your strengths, rather than your weaknesses, can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. When you operate from a place of confidence in the things you naturally excel at, you are more likely to achieve your goals.

1. Understanding Your Strengths Builds Self-Confidence

Making a list of your strengths and revisiting it often helps cement an awareness of your innate talents and capabilities. This self-knowledge builds confidence to take on new challenges without self-doubt holding you back.

2. Focusing on Strengths Improves Performance

Studies show that developing strengths, rather than correcting weaknesses, is the most effective path to success. When you apply your natural abilities to the work you do, you are more energized and engaged.

3. Leveraging Strengths Increases Job Satisfaction

Aligning your role and responsibilities with your strengths leads to greater enjoyment and sense of purpose in your work. Knowing and utilizing your strengths prevents you from feeling stretched too thin.

4. Awareness of Strengths Aids in Goal-Setting

Having clarity on your strengths allows you to set goals that utilize your best qualities. Goals that align with natural talents are more inspiring and achievable.

5. Strengths Help You Add Value

When you know the unique value you bring through your strengths, you can intentionally offer that value to help others. Adding value builds self-worth and creates opportunities.

FAQ

What are some examples of personal strengths?

Some common personal strengths include creativity, empathy, communication skills, focus, determination, positivity, kindness, leadership abilities, problem-solving, and adaptability.

How do I identify my strengths?

Ways to identify your strengths include taking online strength assessments, journaling about what activities energize you, taking notice when you receive compliments on a certain skill, and paying attention to what you excel at with ease.

Why is it important to focus on your strengths rather than weaknesses?

Focusing on developing your natural strengths uses less energy and leads to better outcomes than constantly trying to improve your weaknesses. Improving areas of talent increases job satisfaction.

How do you list strengths on a resume?

The best place to list your key strengths on a resume is in a skills or core competencies section. For each strength, provide one or two specific examples from your past experience exhibiting that strength.

What happens when you leverage your strengths?

Leveraging your strengths creates confidence, increases work performance, boosts health and energy, builds strong relationships, and enables smarter goal setting aligned with your innate talents.