The Gift of Strengths

Are you running around looking for holiday gifts for loved ones? Or virtually running with multiple tabs open on your browser?  This time of year we tend to focus on giving gifts to others. I invite you to also think about a gift you can give yourself.

No, not in the physical gift way like buying yourself an outfit and pretending it’s from your husband (although yes, I do this!). But spend some time to remember your inner strengths and gifts that you share with the world daily. 

You are strong beyond belief! I know this from talking to you either individually or in group settings. I love hearing how you have multiple passions and interests beyond what your title might say. And it’s not just the things you do, but it’s how you do them.

You are a rockstar. So when you start doubting yourself and listing all of the things that you haven’t done….from holiday shopping to healthy habits, to connecting with friends, to cleaning the basement….and the list goes on. You may feel upset with yourself. But I don’t want you to dwell in that place of “I’m not enough.” We get plenty of that pressure from all different angles of not having accomplished enough, or being enough.

You are enough.

And how can you remind yourself of that?

By remembering your strengths.

You are a rockstar.

So take a few minutes and start writing down your strengths. Just brainstorm - get it all out. It can be messy and on scrap paper. Just start writing. 

After the initial brainstorm, start circling keywords and narrow it down to a couple of top strengths that you LOVE about yourself. 

Amazing.

Now, create a visual reminder of these strengths that you can look at regularly. During your weekly reflection time, look back at your week to assess, how much of your time is spent on tasks related to your strengths. How could you use them more?

Using your strengths regularly will help you feel happy and fulfilled. And when you are feeling strong, everything else flows much easier. You're able to love more freely. You're able to give more freely. You're able to contribute more fully. Lean into your strengths.