Tap into Your Inner Strengths to Create Positive Life Changes

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We all have incredible strengths within us that, when recognized and nurtured, can become the foundation for meaningful, positive life changes. Yet, many of us are unaware of these inner resources or unsure how to tap into them effectively. By improving awareness of our strengths and using them intentionally, we can overcome challenges, achieve our goals, and live with greater purpose and fulfillment. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Identify Your Inner Strengths

Awareness begins with self-discovery. Take time to reflect on your personal qualities, skills, and values that make you unique. I’ve included a list of a few at the end of this blog post to help get the ideas flowing. In the meantime, here are a few ways to uncover your inner strengths:

1. Self-Reflection: Ask yourself questions such as, “What am I naturally good at?” and “What qualities have helped me navigate past challenges?” Journaling your answers can offer valuable insights. Identifying these strengths can also help you shape a broader wellness vision—a clear picture of what a healthy, fulfilling life looks like for you—and align your efforts toward that vision.
   
   

2. Seek Feedback: Sometimes, others can see our strengths more clearly than we can. Ask trusted friends, family, or colleagues what they perceive as your greatest strengths.
   
   

3. Strengths Assessments: Tools like the VIA Character Strengths Survey or CliftonStrengths (aka StrengthsFinder) can provide a structured way to identify your top strengths.
   
   

4. Notice Your Wins: Pay attention to moments when you feel energized, confident, or proud. These often point to areas where your strengths are at play.
   
   

Step 2: Cultivate Awareness of How Your Strengths Show Up

Once you’ve identified your strengths, the next step is to become more conscious of how they manifest in your daily life. Try these strategies:

1. Mindful Observation: Throughout your day, notice when you’re using a strength. For example, if adaptability is a strength, observe how you handle unexpected changes.
   
   

2. Track Your Strengths in Action: Keep a strengths journal where you record instances when you used a particular strength. This practice reinforces awareness and builds confidence in your abilities.
   
   

3. Reflect on Past Successes: Think about a time when you overcame a significant challenge or achieved a meaningful goal. What strengths did you rely on to make it happen?
   
   

Step 3: Leverage Your Strengths to Make Positive Changes

Awareness is powerful, but the real transformation happens when you put your strengths to work. Here’s how:

1. Align Your Goals with Your Strengths:
   
   

• Identify how your strengths can support specific goals. For instance, if resilience is one of your strengths, use it to persevere through setbacks in pursuing a new career.
  
  

2. Use Strengths to Overcome Obstacles:
   
   

• When faced with challenges, consciously apply your strengths. For example, if problem-solving is a strength, break a complex issue into smaller, manageable steps.
  
  

3. Build on Existing Habits:
   
   

• Incorporate your strengths into your daily routines. If discipline is a strength, create a structured schedule that helps you stay on track.
  
  
  

4. Collaborate and Complement:
   
   

• Pair your strengths with others’ strengths to create synergy. If you excel in creativity but struggle with organization, partner with someone who thrives in that area.
  
  

Step 4: Commit to Growth

Developing and applying your strengths is an ongoing journey. To keep building momentum:

1. Set Growth-Oriented Goals: Challenge yourself to refine and expand your strengths. For example, if communication is a strength, aim to become an even more effective listener.
   
   

2. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and reward yourself for progress, no matter how small. This reinforces your commitment to positive change.
   
   

3. Embrace Feedback and Learning: Stay open to constructive feedback and seek opportunities to learn from others. Growth thrives on curiosity and adaptability. However, make sure you run all feedback against your own intuition and self-reflections. Not all feedback is helpful or useful, even if well intended. Keep what feels valuable and productive, and let the rest go.
   
   

Step 5: Stay Grounded in Your Values

Your values are the compass that guides how you use your strengths. Reflect on what matters most to you and ensure your actions align with your core beliefs. This alignment is the essence of a wellness vision—a guiding framework that ties your core values to actionable steps for a fulfilling life. 

Creating and following a wellness vision can help you stay focused and intentional as you work toward meaningful changes. When your strengths are in harmony with your values, you create a sense of purpose and fulfillment that fuels lasting change

Here’s a list of strengths you might tap into when making positive life changes. This is just a small sampling of the possibilities. You could use it as a starting point to spark ideas and awareness, if that feels helpful.

Personal Strengths

1. Self-Awareness – Understanding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

2. Resilience – Bouncing back from setbacks and persevering through challenges.

3. Adaptability – Flexibility in adjusting to new circumstances.

4. Creativity – Thinking outside the box to solve problems or achieve goals.

5. Curiosity – A willingness to learn and explore new ideas.

6. Courage – Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone.

7. Discipline – Staying consistent with habits or routines.

8. Optimism – Maintaining a positive outlook even in the face of difficulties.

9. Empathy – Connecting with others and building supportive relationships.

10. Focus – Concentrating energy on what truly matters to you.

Relational Strengths

1. Communication Skills – Expressing needs, desires, ideas, and boundaries effectively.

2. Collaboration – Working with others to achieve common goals.

3. Support Networks – Leaning on friends, family, or colleagues for encouragement.

4. Mentorship – Seeking guidance from others who have successfully navigated similar paths and sharing your knowledge with others.

Skill-Based Strengths

1. Organization – Managing time, resources, and priorities effectively.

2. Problem-Solving – Breaking down challenges into manageable parts.

3. Goal-Setting – Creating clear, actionable, and realistic objectives.

4. Resourcefulness – Finding and utilizing tools, knowledge, or support systems.

Values and Belief-Based Strengths

1. Integrity – Staying true to your values and commitments.

2. Gratitude – Recognizing and appreciating what you already have.

3. Purpose – Aligning actions with a meaningful vision or goal.

4. Faith – Trusting in yourself, the process, or a higher power.

Physical and Emotional Strengths

1. Energy – Leveraging physical vitality and mental stamina.

2. Patience – Allowing time for growth and progress.

3. Mindfulness – Staying present and centered in the moment.

4. Emotional Intelligence – Navigating and managing emotions constructively.

Growth-Oriented Strengths

1. Willingness to Change – Openness to evolve and embrace new perspectives.

2. Accountability – Taking responsibility for your actions and outcomes.

3. Perseverance – Staying committed even when the journey is challenging.

4. Learning Mindset – Viewing challenges as opportunities to grow.

Which ones resonate with you?